Jarred Cosart ends spring on high note, addresses MLB investigation and says he never bet on baseball

JUPITER -- Jarred Cosart wrapped up a rough spring Wednesday afternoon on a high note: with six scoreless innings of one-hit ball against the Nationals. 

The performance came on the heels of a tough week for the 24-year-old Texas-born right-hander. Not only did he miss his last scheduled start because of a blister on his middle finger, but he's had baseball investigating him for an alleged gambling connection. 

Wednesday, though, was a good day. 

"Five days feels like a long time between starts. This felt like an eternity," said Cosart, who was 0-2 with an 8.49 ERA in four starts prior to Wednesday. "I came out there and I finally had a clear head. Obviously there's been a lot of stuff going on the last two weeks. It's just really good to get back out there in a game situation and be with my team and pitch like I know I'm capable of pitching."

Cosart also addressed the ongoing MLB investigation saying he's hopeful "everything will get done by Opening Day" and then emphatically saying he never bet on baseball.

"I told all these guys, I never have, never will bet on baseball," he said. "That's the only statement I can come out with right now. I'm letting MLB security [handle the rest]. They’ve investigated my Twitter. I had to speak to some people from their offices last week, but I’m in a good position on it, I’m confident. Like I said, it's kind of just in the commissioners hands now and we’ll see what he does with it."

As it stands, Cosart said he will make one final start here in Jupiter Monday morning in a simulated game. Then, he will head down and join his teammates at Marlins Park for Opening Day. So, he's currently in line to make his 2015 debut a week from Saturday against the Rays.

Manager Mike Redmond was encouraged by what he saw from Cosart Wednesday.

"That was great, a big lift for all of us and probably a big relief at the same time, getting him back out on the mound," Redmond said. "His finger felt great. So that's the Cosart we know and we've seen a lot of. It's good to have him back."

> The Marlins formally announced the order of their rotation about an hour after Wednesday's Grapefruit League finale: Henderson Alvarez, Mat Latos, Tom Koehler, Dan Haren, Jarred Cosart.