JJ Gone Until After the All-Star Break: The Official Panic Thread

[Chewford]

This season was such a tease.

[Swifty]

If the situation as it pertains to his initial DL trip were disastrous, then it'd be like, 'ok, great, just get healthy whenever.'

Unless the Marlins knew and are just totally inept (plausible) there's no reason a "rest up DL trip" should turn into a 2 month sabbatical. This is super concerning given his lengthy injury history.

[emkayseven]

I think they knew but were optimistic that something would improve quicker than it should have. They had nothing to lose putting him on the 15 day DL and hoping.

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

One positive taken from today’s pre-game session with manager Edwin Rodriguez — the Marlins sound more optimistic than ever that Josh Johnson will be ready once his 60-day stint on the disabled list is over.

Johnson, who was transfered to the 60-day DL (shoulder inflammation) last night, is eligible to come off on July 16. Edwin says he’s confident JJ will start that day in Chicago against the Cubs.

At worst, JJ could start the July 17 in Chicago, or the July 18 make-up game in New York against the Mets or on July 19 against San Diego at Sun Life Stadium.

“He feels that way. We feel that way,” Edwin said.

In fact, Edwin said the team thinks Johnson could be ready to go perhaps a week before his activation date, right at the All Star break.

“He’s going to be ready to go before the 60 days. But why not. Let’s wait the 60 days and make sure he’s 100 percent,” Edwin said.

Johnson will need at least two rehab starts. He still hasn’t thrown off a mound yet in the bullpen.

The Marlins are 8-18 since JJ went down.

“It’s hard to take because he’s the ace of the rotation. It’s hard to take but we have to move on,” Edwin says.

Edwin says it’s evident that his absence has played some role in the team’s skid, perhaps even psychologically because the team initiialy thought JJ’s absence would be minimal.

“I think the players are feeling that way. First it was two weeks. Pretty much everybody was like, ‘OK, two weeks. Maybe we can handle that as a team.’ But now it’s getting longer. I can see the players feeling that loss. They have to pass that. They have grow through that.”

Johnson was transfered to the 60-day DL to make room on the roster for Elih Villanueva, who makes his major league debut today in Game One at 1:10 p.m.

There’s a strong possibility Villanueva will get sent back to New Orleans immediately after the game ends. The team could bring in reliever Jose Ceda or infielder Jose Lopez for game two…

Florida Marlins targeting July 16 return date for Josh Johnson

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

Yes. In fact, JJ has been feeling better.