Jose Fernandez faced live hitters once again Wednesday and remains on track to begin pitching in extended spring games in mid-June, MLB.com reports.

Fernandez faced live hitters once again Wednesday and remains on track to begin pitching in extended spring games in mid-June, MLB.com reports.

Analysis:

The report pegs July 1 as an optimistic target for Fernandez's return to the Marlins, which lines up nicely with a recent report by USA Today's Bob Nightengale that hinted at a late-June return to the rotation. The Marlins will continue to take things day by day with their ace, but it's been a smooth rehab so far.