PEORIA, Ariz. _ The last two years of Jarred Cosart's career served a reminder that, for all its benefits, life in the major leagues can be unforgiving. On the mound, he was largely unable to replicate the success he experienced early in his career. Recurring blisters followed him as he moved from one coast to another. Just hours after he exited a game with elbow inflammation, a close friend died.
Inspired by the same friend, Cosart has embarked on what he calls a "fresh start."
"2017," he said Friday, "is going to be an all-positive for me."
The Padres right-hander joined his fourth organization in July. He had been traded from Miami, where, in the summer of 2014, he met a colorful, young ace named Jose Fernandez. At the time, Fernandez had recently undergone Tommy John surgery.
"When I got there, he was going through his rehab process," Cosart said. "It's kind of easy to say we judged him. He was a different kind of guy. And then we got really close in 2015."
On Sept. 24, Cosart pitched only one inning at Petco Park before his start was ended. He said after the game that, just weeks before, he'd learned of a bone spur in the back of his right elbow.
Early the next morning, Fernandez and two friends were killed in a boating accident off the coast of Miami Beach, Fla.
A profound sadness settled over the sport. The Marlins' game later that day was canceled. Tributes poured in from all corners of the baseball world.
On Instagram, Cosart wrote: "Don't know what to say besides I love you. ... Keep shining in heaven, ace."
"He had the world in front of him, probably better than any pitcher I've seen," Cosart said Friday. "It's shocking; he's gone now. But you try and live on. I know for a lot of guys, he meant a lot. So I'm playing for him. We all know he's here in spirit. He's probably playing catch right now as we speak."
Fernandez's passing has provided perspective to Cosart's current situation. Though he showed glimpses of his talent last season, he finished with a 6.03 ERA in nine starts for the Padres. He is one of about eight candidates vying for two openings in the starting rotation.
Like his fellow competitors, Cosart has reasons for optimism. His arm, he said, feels better than it has in any previous spring. On Oct. 19, he underwent surgery to remove a five-centimeter bone spur from his elbow.
"The doctors think it could've been in there for years," Cosart said. "That's always been my area of soreness, so maybe it's been there awhile."
No complications have since arisen, and Cosart is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut in early March. There is no cure-all for blisters _ Cosart has spent considerable time trying to "toughen up" his hands in rice buckets _ but he has yet to notice any warning signs. The arid Arizona climate has helped.
"Right now, it's been nothing but positive," said Cosart, who recorded a 3.26 ERA over his first two seasons in the majors. "I just feel like my extension's better on my pitches. So far my command's been better, my bullpens. Velocity feels good. ... I'm excited for that to hopefully translate into on-field success, like I had in 2013, 2014.
"I didn't lose many competitions growing up, and I don't plan on making that a new thing. I think every pitcher that's been signed, that's been here, thinks they're the best pitcher for the job, and I feel the same way. Now it's a matter of going out and executing pitches."
Honoring a friend also has been on Cosart's mind. For Christmas, he received a hockey jersey with Fernandez's name and No. 16. "I was trying to get 16 (with the Padres), but Travis Jankowksi had a pretty good first year in it," said Cosart, who wears No. 55.
The background photo on Cosart's phone is of a smiling Fernandez.
"It's a reminder when you're having a bad day," Cosart said. "He was always smiling. He was flamboyant. You always knew when Jose was around. It's always a way to make me smile when something's going wrong."
Cosart isn't the only Padres player who will be thinking about Fernandez this year. Three other pitchers _ Paul Clemens, Brad Hand and Carter Capps _ opened 2016 on the Marlins.
"I want to play for Jose _ I got to meet him last year _ and bring that fire every day," Clemens, Cosart's roommate this spring, said. "Because it doesn't matter if that guy is going to make $400 million. He's going play that game every day like it's his last day. Those are the kind of guys I think about every morning."
