MIAMI (AP) -Josh Willingham was standing at his locker Tuesday afternoon when someone walked by and asked what it was like for him to miss the past six weeks.
“Eight weeks,” Willingham quickly corrected.
Not like the Florida Marlins’ left fielder was counting.
After missing 50 games with a herniated disk in his back, Willingham made his long-awaited return to the Marlins’ lineup Tuesday night for the start of a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Willingham, who was in his customary cleanup spot, was hitting .341 with six home runs and 16 RBIs when the oft-problematic back flared up on April 28. He hadn’t played for the Marlins since.
“It’s been a long process,” Willingham said. “Been frustrating, but I’m back in the lineup and hopefully I can do something to help the team win.”
Also Tuesday, the Marlins recalled catcher Paul Hoover from Albuquerque and sent catcher Mike Rabelo to Triple-A. Hoover, like Willingham, was in Tuesday’s starting lineup.
Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said Willingham – barring any setbacks – would also be the starting left fielder on Wednesday. Luis Gonzalez, who’s hitting .298 as a left fielder this season and was the everyday starter in Willingham’s absence, will likely start on Thursday when the Marlins and Rays finish their series with a scheduled 12:10 p.m. matchup.
After that, Florida hopes Willingham can be in left field to stay.
“He’s ready,” Fredi Gonzalez said.
Willingham said the herniated disk was putting so much pressure on a nerve in his back that all the muscles in the affected area would “lock up,” making just about anything painful and swinging a bat impossible.
But after weeks of rehab and a quick trip to the minors to see some live pitching, Willingham finally deemed himself ready to go.
“It’s all about managing the symptoms and keeping the back strong where that doesn’t happen,” Willingham said. “That’s kind of where I’m at now and I’m ready to try to play again.”
In his absence, the Marlins went 25-25 and only lost 2 1/2 games in the NL East standings. They entered play Tuesday alone in second, 1 1/2 games off Philadelphia’s pace.
“The team’s been doing great,” Willingham said. “I’m not trying to come in and change anything. I just kind of want to chime in and do what I can to help us win. It’s been fun to watch them and it’s been frustrating not to be able to play.”
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