Posted March 21, 200718 yr http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/articl...sp&c_id=fla Tankersley progressing from his injury 03/20/2007 11:10 AM ET By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com JUPITER, Fla. -- Encouraged by another pain-free throwing session, Taylor Tankersley is hopeful to see his first Grapefruit League action on March 27, when the Marlins face the Orioles in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The 24-year-old lefty reliever has been recovering from shoulder inflammation, and Tankersley is making strides toward being ready for the 2007 season. A primary eighth-inning setup reliever, Tankersley will next throw a bullpen on Friday, and if that goes well, he is slated to toss live batting practice on Sunday. The target date to get him into Grapefruit League competition is March 27. "I feel I could be ready for [Opening Day], but that's not my decision," Tankersley said. In terms of throwing the ball, Tankersley said: "I'm not holding back. I trust my arm right now." The Marlins open the regular season on April 2 against the Nationals in Washington, D.C. The team has been hopeful to get him about six or seven innings of work before he pitches in a regular-season game. There is a chance Tankersley could open the season on the disabled list, retroactively, meaning he could be reinstated after a few games. As a rookie in '06, Tankersley went 2-1 with a 2.85 ERA, appearing in 49 games. He could factor into the closer role as the season progresses.
March 21, 200718 yr thank God. Tank was one of the only halfway decent relievers we had last season. he was much more than halfway decent.
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