MIAMI -- Brian Sanches' return date is now expected to be April 26.

 

The Marlins' late-inning reliever was initially hoping to return from a strained right hamstring during the club's three-game road series in Colorado on April 23-25. But because of the way his rehab schedule will work out, and because the Marlins don't want to bring him back and automatically put him in mile-high conditions, Sanches now expects to be back for the start of Florida's following nine-game homestand.

 

The 31-year-old right-hander, who threw a 40-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday, said prior to Thursday's series finale against the Reds that he's feeling good. Sanches will take part in a live batting-practice session in Jupiter, Fla., on Friday, then he'll begin throwing in rehab games on Monday. Sanches said he'll throw an inning on Monday, two innings on Thursday and one inning on Friday. If all goes well, he expects to be activated prior to the April 26 opener against the Padres.

 

"I want to be back now," said Sanches, who suffered the injury while warming up in the Marlins' second-to-last exhibition game against Double-A Jacksonville. "The longer I'm out, the more anxious I get. But I understand that when I get back, I'll be pitching a lot. So, it's probably best not to rush it."

Coghlan 'much better,' but remains sidelined

 

MIAMI -- Chris Coghlan was out of the lineup for a second consecutive game on Thursday, but the Marlins' outfielder said his bruised left ribs felt "much better" heading into the series finale against the Reds at Sun Life Stadium.

 

Coghlan said the best-case scenario is that he'd be back in the lineup on Friday, in the opener of a three-game series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The 24-year-old lefty hitter stayed away from swinging a bat pregame and just ran. The plan is for Coghlan to take early batting practice in Philadelphia on Friday and see if he's ready to go.

 

"It's 50-50 from there," he said.

 

Taking Coghlan's place in left field once again was Brett Carroll, who was activated off the 15-day disabled list before Wednesday's game and wound up falling a triple short of the cycle in the Marlins' win over the Reds. Cameron Maybin batted leadoff again Thursday, followed by catcher John Baker. Carroll was batting eighth against Reds starter Aaron Harang.

 

Coghlan suffered the injury on Tuesday, when he landed hard on the rubberized warning track in left-center field at Sun Life Stadium after making a sensational diving catch, robbing Orlando Cabrera of extra bases and at least one RBI to keep the game tied in the 10th inning.

 

The reigning National League Rookie of the Year recalled an injury sidelining him just one other time in his professional career, when he tore an abdomen muscle while playing in high-Class A in 2007.

 

"I've been very fortunate that I haven't missed many games in my career, my life, because of an injury in baseball," Coghlan said. "That's why it's humbling. Because as baseball players, we play so many games, which is great. And with all those games that we play, we just think we're going to wake up the next day and play another one."

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100415&content_id=9325388&notebook_id=9325504&vkey=notebook_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla&partnerId=rss_fla

 

On the Sanches front, thank God. I think it's pretty obvious Leroux is going back when he is ready.

 

On the Coghlan front, the rubber track is just another example this homestand has given on how much we need(ed) that new stadium.

Great news about Sanches, and i do think Coghlan gets the start tonight.

on the plus side, Mabyin-Baker is working out at the top of the order for the time being.

The sooner the better,but no need to rush Sanches back. Think it's a good call to wait til we come back home. Look forward to having him back,we're gonna need him. Thanks for the update btw

 

 

 

Wouldn't be totaly shocked if this Maybin lead off thing continues/or we see it re-emerge at some point,even after Cogs comes back and starts hitting the ball again(hopefully). Rich and Tommy touched on it last night a little about Coghlan possibly batting in the 2nd spot if Maybe can continue to get on base consistently.

I think it would make more sense to have Cogs bat second. Hes a lefty and it would be easier for him to pull a ball through 1st and 2nd with Maybin on. Ideally though I want Bake in the 2 hole.

The sooner the better,but no need to rush Sanches back. Think it's a good call to wait til we come back home. Look forward to having him back,we're gonna need him. Thanks for the update btw

 

 

 

Wouldn't be totaly shocked if this Maybin lead off thing continues/or we see it re-emerge at some point,even after Cogs comes back and starts hitting the ball again(hopefully). Rich and Tommy touched on it last night a little about Coghlan possibly batting in the 2nd spot if Maybin can continue to get on base consistently.