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Health Matter: Willis Injury Minor, JJ Back in Action

After Dontrelle Willis looked like he had his had chopped off the other night in South Florida when Grady Sizemore clipped him at first, Willis appears to be fine and will not miss any time with what the team is calling a sore left forearm.

”It’s just a little sore,” said Willis, who sustained the injury while covering first base Thursday night, when Cleveland’s Grady Sizemore accidentally kicked Willis’ hand.

Willis said his hand was fine, but the effect was on his forearm. Willis said he planned on making his next start, and Gonzalez didn’t appear to be worried.

”I don’t think it’s anything major, nothing to be overly concerned about,” he said.

With Willis on track to make his next start, another member of last year’s team is ready to rejoin the starting rotation and contribute to the playoff push. Josh Johnson has rejoined the team and will make his first start of the 2007 season in Chicago against the White Sox. JJ is thrilled to be back and feels great and is ready to get back to business…

”It’s good to be back,” said Johnson, who has been idled by an irritated nerve above his right elbow. “It [first start] can’t come soon enough. Physically, I feel great. My whole body feels great. It feels exciting. It feels like Opening Day last year.”

Scott Olsen added…

“It’s huge to have him back. It gives us a boost. It’s like making a trade and getting a player without giving anyone up.”

Transaction Notes: After Vanden Hurk (2-2) posted his second big-league win, the 22-year-old was optioned to Double-A Carolina. The Marlins on Sunday will select the contract of outfielder Brett Carroll from Triple-A Albuquerque. Alejandro De Aza has been trasferred to the 60 day DL.