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.