Tankersley Ready to Go

Taylor Tankersley is mending nicely after elbow surgery, and should be ready to compete for a spot in the bullpen come February:

The 26-year-old had screws inserted into his left elbow on April 17 to repair a stress fracture in his throwing arm. The procedure was performed in Fort Worth, Texas, by Dr. John Conway.

By the end of July, Tankersley was cleared to begin throwing. Since then, he's built up to tossing off a mound at the Marlins complex in Jupiter, Fla.

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"I'll be ready for Spring Training," said the former University of Alabama lefty, who last pitched in the big leagues in 2008. "I've listened to the doctors and the trainers. I took their approach to get back. My arm is solid now. I threw bullpens leading up to Thanksgiving.

"I threw a month's worth of bullpens with no setbacks. They went well. I was throwing all my pitches there at the end. My arm is fine and well. I'm excited. Come Feb. 20, I'll be ready to go."

With the Marlins looking to deal Renyel Pinto, they could use a healthy Taylor Tankersley in the bullpen next season. That is, provided they get the '06 version of the Tank, and not the 2008 version.