Matt Lindstrom made his first appearance on the mound since his back slippage problem .

Right-hander Matt Lindstrom had been ready and able to pitch to for several days, but he didn't get his first opportunity to test his back in a game until Thursday. Lindstrom hit 99 mph in striking out J.J. Hardy, but he also walked a batter and gave up a pair of hits in allowing an eighth-inning run. The appearance was his first since April 30, when he left after one-third of an inning with back soreness.

"You can't really simulate games out in the bullpen," said Lindstrom, who threw three side sessions between outings. "Everything's good. I can throw 100 percent with my back. I'm not favoring it at all."

Matt looked a little rusty last night, which is to be expected after his time off.  The only thing he had going for him was a very straight fast ball and his breaking ball was nonfunctional.

Fredi picked a good time to send him out to the mound, unfortunately, Lindstrom wasn't up to the task and it required the bullpen to get a little extra work.  Assuming he is healthy, and he claims he is, it shouldn't take too many more outings to get him up to speed.

Or so Matt Lindstrom says .

Reliever Matt Lindstrom (back) pronounced himself ready to go before Sunday's game.Fredi Gonzalez said he would not have hesitated to have used him Saturday had the need arisen

I'm not saying he isn't ready, it is just that I don't trust the kids when it comes to determining their fitness.  They tend to lie.  If Matt is fully able bodied and is ready to return to action, then fantastic.  But I'm still concerned about the fact he felt something different on the mound when his back slipped as opposed to the spasms in the past.

Perhaps I was reading too much into that and he is good to go.  Now, if he can just that breaking ball of his over the plate every once in a while, we will all be happy.

Welcome back Matt!

Matt Lindstrom's back problems haven't eased, but there appears to be no major damage .

Right-hander Matt Lindstrom's back is acting up again, but an MRI on Thursday ruled out any serious injury.

There's still a chance he could end up on the disabled list if the discomfort persists. "Hopefully it'll be better by (today),'' the reliever said. "We'll just take it day by day.''

In order to get back to playing form Matt is going use every high-tech option available to him .

"I think we're just going to keep treating it to see how it goes,'' he said. ``We'll just take it day by day.''

Last season, Lindstrom also experienced back pain, which he alleviated by sleeping on a hard floor.

''I might have to go back to the floor again,'' he said. ``I'll try whatever.''

Hey, if it works or at least you think it works, give it a go.

The problem brewing with the Lindstrom, Willingham and Jacobs injuries is that Fredi is now having to manage a short-handed bench and bullpen.  And if they persist, someone is going on the DL, probably retroactive, but a 22 man team causes a disadvantage.  One of the main disadvantages being that the catcher not starting the game can't be used in that day's game unless he is needed to replace the starting catcher.

The two possible candidates for emergency catcher, should it come to that, are injured, and therefore Fredi can't take the chance to use the non-starter for anything but insurance.

So the team becomes basically 21 men each game while Willingham, Jacobs and Lindstrom are recovering.  They have a few days to get better or someone is DL bound.  Hopefully Josh and/or Jake will return tonight.

And it just keeps getting better and better.

First up is Matt Lindstrom .

Marlins reliever Matt Lindstrom was lifted in the eighth inning on Wednesday night with tightness in his lower back.

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Lindstrom said he will meet with the team doctors before Thursday's game to decide what, if any tests, will be performed.

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"This one is different because it is not on my muscle, and it was spasming," said Lindstrom, who didn't go on the disabled list in '07. "This is different because something is slipping in my spine, because I don't feel it in my muscle area. Yesterday it was bad."

Even though Lindstrom didn't pitch on Tuesday, he felt discomfort going through his regular routine. Just walking up on the mound, he felt his back slipping. He felt it pinch, and he tried to pitch through, but was unable.

"My back started aching about a week ago, and I've been getting treatment trying to stay on top of it," he said. "This time, it felt a little different."

Oh, that is just marvelous.  If Lindstrom ends up on the DL, look for Joe Nelson to take his place.

Second up: Josh Willingham.

Looking at the big picture, the Marlins are more interested in the long haul than the short run.

That's why there is no rush to get left fielder Josh Willingham into action. A late scratch on Tuesday night because of back stiffness, he also was held out of the lineup on Wednesday against the Dodgers at Dolphin Stadium.

The most realistic return day?

Willingham said Friday probably would be the day, even though manager Fredi Gonzalez hasn't ruled out Thursday's 12:10 p.m. ET start.

I doubt he will play today and if he does it will be as a pinch hitter.

Finally, Mike Jacobs.

First baseman Mike Jacobs had a cortisone shot on his right middle finger on Wednesday. The first baseman, who pinch-hit and struck out for the final out on Tuesday, remains day-to-day.

Another player I don't expect to see the starting lineup, maybe tomorrow.  But really who knows.

And that concludes today's walking wounded report.