Josh Johnson started for the Florida Marlins on May 16. Josh Johnson has not started for the Florida Marlins ever since, due to a bout of shoulder inflammation. Initially, Johnson was expected to miss only two starts. But then he got pushed back. Then he got pushed back again. Now we have this, from Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez:
Josh Johnson Injury: Marlins Ace Recovering Very Slowly
Rodriguez said the most optimistic hope for ace Josh Johnson’s return is July. Rodriguez said Johnson would need two or three bullpen sessions and then “have some rehab outings. We’re talking July for sure.” Johnson has been on the DL with right shoulder inflammation since May 21.
The first timetable had Johnson looking to return on June 1, so it’s clear that Johnson has not recovered as the organization wished that he would. Which isn’t really Johnson’s fault, mind you, but I don’t know if the Marlins could be without a more important player.
After Johnson’s last start, he owned a 1.64 ERA, and the Marlins were 24-16. Since that start, the Marlins have gone 8-17 to plummet south in the NL East and wild card races, and a big reason why is that they have not received good starting pitching. Johnson will help when he returns, but by that point it might be too late to make a difference in 2011.
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