He had rotator-cuff surgery during the 1997 playoffs, a death knell for pitchers. But he didn't disappear. Won Comeback Player of the Year in 1999. But he wasn't right. He was done a month after last year's opener.
All signs are ominous now.
He needs another one. He met briefly with Boles on Sunday. His body will not let him. The Marlins' starting pitching, key to these big dreams, is wide on potential, narrow on experience. So beam some positive thoughts his way on this Opening Day, the one he cannot bear to attend.