Sanchez, Johnson easing into spring

[Hollyberry]

JUPITER, Fla. -- At 11:30 a.m. ET on Monday, two of the Marlins' top young pitchers went jogging together around the streets surrounding Roger Dean Stadium.

 

Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez got their road work in as they continue their overall conditioning with Spring Training less than three weeks away.

 

The bigger question facing both promising right-handers is: When will their arms be in game shape?

 

Sanchez and Johnson are nursing ailments that neither believes are serious. Still, the fact both are tender before the Feb. 17 Spring Training report date for pitchers and catchers is reason for concern.

 

Johnson, who turns 23 on Wednesday, experienced discomfort in his right biceps/triceps area on Jan. 19. The 6-foot-7 Oklahoma native said he is feeling better, but is day-to-day on when he will resume throwing.

 

His progress is being monitored by team trainer Sean Cunningham, and as of now there are no plans for an MRI exam.

 

Sanchez, meanwhile, underwent on MRI exam on his throwing shoulder on Jan. 22.

 

The results showed some inflammation and tendinitis. On Monday, during a voluntary workout in Jupiter, Sanchez did some light throwing on flat ground. His 10-minute session from 60 feet was with teammate Logan Kensing, who is working his way back from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery.

 

Kensing is on a much more cautious pace and he isn't expected to be ready until after the All-Star break, at the earliest.

 

Sanchez and Johnson both are hopeful to be ready for the start of Spring Training.

 

"I'm going to be better very soon," said Sanchez, who added he felt fine throwing on Monday.

 

Sanchez experienced soreness in his shoulder while throwing in December. At that point, he rested a few weeks and began tossing again in mid-January. When he still wasn't right, he traveled from his home in Maracay, Venezuela, to South Florida for an MRI exam.

 

"The second week of January, it still hurt, and I called the team to see what was going on," Sanchez said.

 

Sanchez is unsure of what his throwing schedule will be. There is no timetable on when he will begin tossing off a mound.

 

"I hope to be ready for Spring Training," Sanchez said. "Right now, I don't feel anything. I just keep working, running and doing my exercises for my shoulder. I'm going to be OK."

 

Johnson feels he is close to being able to do some light tossing.

 

"I've just got to wait," Johnson said. "Hopefully, I can go out there [Tuesday]."

 

Johnson and Sanchez were two of the better rookie pitchers in the league last year.

 

Johnson finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA, while Sanchez was 10-3 with a 2.83 ERA.

 

Last September, Johnson's season was cut short on Sept. 12, when he experienced some tightness in his right forearm. That game, he sat through a lengthy rain delay in a no-decision against the Mets.

 

He didn't pitch the rest of the season, and he was progressing nicely, throwing off flat ground before his latest setback.

 

Actually, he was hoping to begin throwing off a mound on Jan. 22, until he was shut down.

 

"I was doing long tossing and then I felt it," Johnson said of his discomfort.

 

While pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training on Feb. 17, the Marlins clearly will build all their pitchers up to be ready for Opening Day on April 2 at Washington.

 

"I might be a little behind," Johnson said of his throwing status when camp opens.

 

Johnson, who shed 20 pounds this winter and now weighs 255 pounds, and Sanchez are both in shape, good spirits and sporting beards.

 

When Joe Girardi was managing last year, the team had a no-facial-hair policy.

 

New manager Fredi Gonzalez has lifted that restraint, and several of the players in Jupiter on Monday had beards. :lol :lol :lol Sorry I had to do that.

 

When the 2006 season ended, Johnson took a few months off from throwing before picking up a ball again around Dec. 12. That month, he went on a trip to Hawaii with his agent, Matt Sosnick, and a few of his teammates.

 

On the beaches of Hawaii, Johnson was playing catch with Dontrelle Willis.

 

Johnson joked that he was not recognized as on-lookers gravitated toward the popular D-Train. One child, however, sought Johnson's autograph, and told the right-hander: "You're actually pretty good."

[Hammerhead]

:lol :lol :lol

[CYmarlins]

LMAO!!! @ Alfredo

[catchoftheday]

and why is dontrelle holding an orange?

 

:lol

[Das Texan]

and why is dontrelle holding an orange?

 

:lol

 

he wants to be like johnny chan.

[Tee Ball Bunt Machine]

and why is dontrelle holding an orange?

 

:lol

Hell if I know, it was just the photo I found when searching for one to put a beard on DTrain. Specifically Ricky Williams' beard, since someone made a comment about "Who would be the first to grow" Ricky's.

But hey, "Growing" boys need fuel.

[Hammerhead]

and why is dontrelle holding an orange?

 

:lol

Hell if I know, it was just the photo I found when searching for one to put a beard on DTrain. Specifically Ricky Williams' beard, since someone made a comment about "Who would be the first to grow" Ricky's.

But hey, "Growing" boys need fuel.

Looks kind of like a young Osama beard. :lol

[Tee Ball Bunt Machine]

Looks kind of like a young Osama beard. :lol

That's on Ricky.