Jose Fernandez stellar in 2nd rehab start: 'Thank God, everything feels great'

The Miami Marlins are counting down the days until Jose Fernandez toes the mound this season.

The Marlins sit 7 1/2 games back in the potent National League East, and although the club saw Mat Latos return from the disabled list Saturday, there's something about Fernandez that's a little more exciting.

Fortunately for them, that day is coming sooner rather than later.

Fernandez climbed the mound for his second rehab start Saturday, allowing two hits over five scoreless innings with Class A Advanced Jupiter, striking out four batters and walking one.

The 22-year-old said the approach he took coming into this game is like one he would take against any other big-league club.

"I think the biggest point today is I was pitching like I was pitching against L.A. or against some big league team," Fernandez said. "I was trying to get quick outs. I didn't give up many hits. Try to go out there, and the biggest picture here is I feel healthy."

But although he feels good, the righty knows that this is a step-by-step process and that his return to the big club is dictated by his performance down under.

"I need these (rehab) starts," Fernandez said. "It's not like I'm going to go out there and pitch in the big leagues today. I need these starts. They're really good, very nice to work on pitches and locations and different counts.

"You've got to give a lot of credit to those kids, man. They swing the bat really well."