Straily appears poised to make 2018 debut

LOS ANGELES -- Dan Straily's first career trip to the disabled list could be coming to an end within the week, as the Marlins right-hander moved one step closer to a return Tuesday.
Straily threw 88 pitches in a rehab start for Double-A Jacksonville, suggesting his next outing could be in Miami on the upcoming homestand. Straily has been on the 10-day DL since the start of the season after a right forearm strain surfaced late in Spring Training.
Marlins manager Don Mattingly would neither confirm nor deny that Straily was headed back to the Majors.
"We'll just kind of continue to hold with him at least until tomorrow," Mattingly said before Tuesday's Marlins game against the Dodgers. "The biggest things with the guys out on rehabs is making sure that they are bouncing back the next day, so we'll see where he is tomorrow.
Straily's outing lasted 5 1/3 innings and was something of a mixed bag. He gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits with six strikeouts and one walk. Straily held Tennessee to one run over the first four innings before the Smokies broke out in the sixth inning for three runs.
Straily gave up two home runs in the outing, including a three-run shot by Eddy Martinez in the sixth.
Straily's outing Tuesday came after two appearances with Class A Advanced Jupiter, where he pitched a combined 7 2/3 innings. He has a 6.92 ERA in the three rehab appearances, striking out 12 with four walks.
After the Marlins assess Straily's health on Wednesday, another conversation will ensue.
"Then we'll have the discussion on placing him where we think is best for him next," Mattingly said.
There were a number of other injured Marlins appearing on rehab assignments Tuesday. Infielders Martín Prado and JT Riddle played for Jupiter, as did right-hander Elieser Hernández, who threw 71 pitches over four innings.
All three of those players will also be reevaluated Wednesday before they play again.