Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
According to a report by Chris Cotillo, RHP Jason Marquis is nearly ready to pitch again in the major leagues. He threw a bullpen session for the Reds and Padres Friday and was hitting the low 90’s on the radar gun.
You might recall Marquis came to the Padres in mid-2012 after being released by the Minnesota Twins and pitched well for the team. He was off to an even better start in 2013, going 9-5 with a 4.05 ERA before succumbing to Tommy John surgery after 20 starts. Can you imagine the naming rights deal if he trademarked that surgery? Now Marquis appears ready to return to the diamond.
Marquis made his major-league debut way back in 2000, a fresh-faced Staten-Island native pitching for the Atlanta Braves. He won a World Series with the Cardinals in 2006, an All Star Game appearance in 2009 with Colorado, and is 35 years old. He has a career record of 121-114 with a 4.56 ERA. Not amazing, but perfect for a #4 or #5 starter to eat up quality innings.
The Reds were also looking at him. The way pitchers are falling to injury this year it does seem like there should be a place for him to land. The Pirates or Rockies could also look at him to round out a couple shaky rotation spots.
As for the Padres, it’s hard to see an immediate need – but the pitching staff (not counting Josh Johnson) has been remarkably healthy this year so the odds seem to say there will be a disabled list trip coming sometime soon. Also, Robbie Erlin will likely need a breather down the stretch as the Padres’ are monitoring his innings count.
Veteran pitchers who you can rely on to throw six innings and only allow 3-4 runs are always nice to have on a staff.Marquis could provide that for the Padres. He would still likely to have some extended spring training and make a few rehab starts, so realistically, he might be ready to go around the All-Star Break.