Willingham Could Be Back Friday, Other Injury Updates

[JJ]

Looking at the big picture, the Marlins are more interested in the long haul than the short run.

That's why there is no rush to get left fielder Josh Willingham into action. A late scratch on Tuesday night because of back stiffness, he also was held out of the lineup on Wednesday against the Dodgers at Dolphin Stadium.

The most realistic return day?

Willingham said Friday probably would be the day, even though manager Fredi Gonzalez hasn't ruled out Thursday's 12:10 p.m. ET start.

The Marlins open a series with San Diego at home on Friday.

"If I need to miss a day or two or three, that's better than doing something that makes it two or three weeks," Willingham said.

Willingham has a history of back stiffness, and he was limited to 144 games last year, sitting out half of last September with a herniated disk.

One reason the Marlins signed veteran Luis Gonzalez was to spell Willingham in left field so he can be given be given periodic days off to rest his back.

"Hammer [Willingham] is a little better, and maybe he can pinch-hit," Fredi Gonzalez said. "We'll play it by ear with the Hammer."

First baseman Mike Jacobs had a cortisone shot on his right middle finger on Wednesday. The first baseman, who pinch-hit and struck out for the final out on Tuesday, remains day-to-day. Wes Helms has been filling in at first base.

Another ailment the team is watching closely is pitcher Andrew Miller's right knee. The left-hander, who threw a season-low three innings on Tuesday, felt a little discomfort in his knee while covering first base.

Miller remains on schedule to start on Sunday against the Dodgers, but the team is working out a different conditioning routine. Paul Fournier, the team's strength and conditioning director, has spoken to Miller about doing some exercises in the weight room rather than running on the field the day after a start.

Miller has been bothered by tendinitis in the knee since his playing days in Detroit. A routine MRI was taken after the 2007 season, and the Marlins examined those results before their blockbuster trade with the Tigers in December. Miller was one of the marquee names in the deal that sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to Detroit.

Pitchers typically do a great amount of pregame running, especially after they've pitched. Most jog around the field.

In Miller's case, the team is urging him to use the cardio equipment rather than have his knees take the pounding of running steps or around the outfield.

"We'll do a little different conditioning program for him," Gonzalez said. "Instead of running poles [foul pole to foul pole], we'll have him use the equipment in here."

Rick VandenHurk, who opened the season as the No. 2 starter, but was optioned to Double-A on April 7, has begun some light throwing. On the Minor League disabled list with a sore upper arm, VandenHurk began throwing off flat ground earlier this week. He has yet to progress to tossing off the mound.

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