Alfonseca works out, waits

Alfonseca works out, waits

BY KEVIN BAXTER

kbaxter@herald.com

Reliever Antonio Alfonseca, on the disabled list since April 21 with a stress fracture in his right elbow, is hopeful he can begin baseball exercises next week in preparation for a rehab assignment next month.

And if all goes well there, the pitcher said Friday, he could be ready to return to the Marlins' bullpen before the All-Star break.

But that timetable might be a bit optimistic. The Marlins, who want to let the break heal at its own pace, will re-evaluate the injury after an MRI on Monday. In the meantime, Alfonseca, who was 0-1 with a 1.59 ERA in six appearances, has been doing cardiovascular work at a fitness center near his Miramar home while dealing with legal problems stemming from a real estate deal that went sour in his native Dominican Republic.

Two years ago, Alfonseca paid $355,000 for land where he planned to build a tourist center near his childhood home in the southeastern Dominican city of La Romana. But, according to attorneys working for the pitcher, it was later discovered that the couple who sold Alfonseca the land did not own the title. A court date is expected to be set soon for a trial in which Alfonseca and two siblings hope to recover their investment.

MOTA PITCHES

Closer Guillermo Mota, placed on the DL three weeks ago with an inflamed elbow, threw 32 pitches in a two-inning simulated game Friday, facing Marlins reserves Joe Dillon, Matt Treanor and Chris Aguila. But the big test, the right-hander said, will come this morning when he wakes up and checks his arm for pain.

''[The] inflammation is out of there. We just want to make sure it doesn't come back,'' pitching coach Mark Wiley said. ``We haven't put the gun on him, but his velocity seems to be better.''

Provided he doesn't suffer any setbacks, Mota, who is 0-1 with two saves in 10 games, could be sent out for a rehab assignment with the Marlins' Single A club in Jupiter next week.

''I want to see him pitch,'' manager Jack McKeon said.

When Mota does rejoin the bullpen, however, there's no guarantee he'll do so as the team's closer, the job he had when he went on the DL. Mota has primarily been a set-up man until this season, and Wiley said there's a chance he'll fill that role in front of Todd Jones, who has handled the closer duties in Mota's absence.

''[Jones] has done a terrific job,'' Wiley said of the veteran right-hander, who entered Friday with three saves and a team-best 1.08 ERA in 15 games. ``I don't know how we'll do that when Mota comes back. Jack will make that decision.''

And Friday, McKeon was being coy.

''I haven't even thought about it,'' he said. ``Jonesy's done a good job. If he continues to do a good job we've got two good closers.''

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Nice to see both of our back of the BP guys make progress. We could be at full strength by the end of July. :thumbup