Shots in the arm: MLB aces ready to return from injury, suspension

A month before the trading deadline, several teams are getting a shot in the arm potentially as effective as a big trade: The long-awaited return of a starting pitcher. USA TODAY Sports' Jorge L. Ortiz breaks down the impact of an All-Star quartet of starters injecting themselves into the pennant race:

Pitcher: Jose Fernandez

Date sidelined: Fernandez gave up five earned runs in five innings on May 9, 2014, and reported elbow discomfort after that game. Three days later he went on the disabled list, and a week after the injury he underwent Tommy John surgery.

Day of surgery: May 16, 2014:

First start: Scheduled for Thursday against the San Francisco Giants.

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What the Marlins can expect: Fernandez wasn't all that sharp in his one start at Class AA, yielding six hits and four runs in five innings, but his strikeout totals in his five rehab outings – 33 in 24 2/3 innings – indicate he has regained the kind of stuff that can overwhelm hitters. Still, some rust figures to show when he faces the Giants on Thursday.

Impact: The Marlins (31-46) were going nowhere even before losing Giancarlo Stanton to a broken hamate, sidelining him for 4-6 weeks. They could use an energy boost from the enthusiastic Fernandez. Once he regains his form, his presence could also lend leadership to a shaky rotation that ranks 10th in the league in ERA at 4.17 and has been hurt by his absence and by Henderson Alvarez's two stints on the disabled list.

Pitcher: Matt Moore

Date sidelined: April 7, 2014, when Moore walked off the mound in his second and final start of the season, headed for Tommy John surgery.

Day of surgery: April 22, 2014

First start: Thursday against the Cleveland Indians.

What the Rays can expect: Moore made five rehab starts totaling 21 1/3 innings, then was cleared after a 35-pitch bullpen session Monday. His stamina and command may not be fully back, so the Rays figure to proceed conservatively with their former staff ace.

Impact: The Rays' remarkable resourcefulness has been on display as they've remained at or near the top of the AL East despite getting zero starts from Moore and Alex Cobb all season. That's about to change with Moore's return, and it comes at a welcome time. Moore was one of the game's top lefties in 2003 and, with Cobb, Drew Smyly and Jake Odorizzi on the DL, his contributions could play a critical role in keeping Tampa Bay in the race.

Pitcher: Matt Cain

Date sidelined: Cain was bothered by bone chips in the elbow much of last season, making his final start on July 9. Cain's return to action this year has been delayed by a strained flexor tendon in his right arm.

Day of surgery: Cain finally had the bone chips removed Aug. 11, ending his season. He later had arthroscopic surgery to take out a bone spur from his right ankle.

First start: Scheduled for Thursday against the Marlins.

What the Giants can expect: Tough to tell, considering the bevy of maladies Cain is coming back from. He struck out 19 in 19 1/3 innings over four rehab outings but had a 4.19 ERA.

Impact: Cain and Jake Peavy are expected to take the rotation spots of the ineffective and banged-up Tim Lincecum and Tim Hudson. It's anybody's guess whether they will perform better. If they do, the Giants have a legitimate shot at giving the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers a run for their money the rest of the way. It's hard to imagine Cain will exhibit the form that made him an All-Star three times in four years from 2009-2012, but the Giants need pitching help and are counting on their old ace to provide it.

Pitcher

: Ervin Santana

Date sidelined: Since the start of the season, due to an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

First start: Santana's suspension ends Sunday, but the Twins have not said when he will pitch.

What the Twins can expect: Santana, who has a 2.84 ERA in two Class AAA starts, tends to stay in good shape and should be ready for action as soon as he's eligible. Last year he missed most of spring training after signing late with the Atlanta Braves and still started out strong before finishing with a 14-10 record and 3.95 ERA.

Impact: The Twins couldn't have imagined they'd have a surplus of pitching at mid-season, and perhaps didn't anticipate being in contention at this point. But with their starters ranking third in the AL with a 3.82 ERA, the Twins remain stubbornly in the race. Now they must determine whom to remove from the rotation to make way for a pitcher who signed the largest free agent contract in team history (four years, $55 million). Tommy Milone appears the likely choice, but he has a 2.03 ERA in his last five starts.

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