The Eye: Live updates and the best of Thursday

It’s like opening day in July for at least three prominent major league pitchers, all of whom have All-Star credentials and have been greatly missed by their respective teams (and us).

Jose Fernandez of the Marlins, Matt Cain of the Giants and Matt Moore of the Rays each return from injury Thursday. Fernandez and Moore have missed a little over a year of time because of Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery. Cain had a strained flexor tendon near his right elbow that started bothering him in spring training, but he also missed about half of his starts in 2014 with injuries, and hasn’t been at his best since the middle of 2013.

Fernandez and Cain oppose each other at Marlins Park, while Moore faces Corey Kluber‘s teammates with the Indians at Tropicana Park. With respect to Cain and Moore, the biggest comeback coming in is that of Fernandez, who performed like one of the very best pitchers in the league out of the box with the Marlins in 2013.

Watch Fernandez get back to work:

The Giants ruined a fun narrative by scoring twice in the first, but it’s not like they can turn off their will to win just because Fernandez is back and everyone’s all happy.

So missed was Fernandez that one Fish man who was dubbed The Jose Guy, said he wouldn’t shave his head or face until Fernandez starting pitching again. On Wednesday, The Jose Guy’s hair had its day of reckoning:

No fans apparently cared enough to grow out their hairs for Cain or Moore (that we know of). Welcome back, anyway, boys!

And welcome to the Eye! The Big Jar of Baseball is 80 percent full today, with 12 games on the docket, including four that start soon. Check back here for frequent updates on all of the games, for urgent news and rumors, along with key highlights. It’s something of a one-stop-shop.

The pitching comebacks aren’t the only big-time debuts today. Manny Banuelos starts his first major league game for the Atlanta Braves against the Nationals, and slugger Miguel Sano (presuming he’s in the lineup) debuts for the Minnesota Twins at Kansas City. Matt Snyder talked about Sano in the video at the top. He’s not rated quite as highly as Byron Buxton, but Sano’s power is at the top of the charts, and he has strong plate discipline for a 22-year-old. Defense is a question, with third base his position by trade, but he’ll likely begin as a designated hitter.

All that Banuelos has to do is not worry about pitching opposite of Max Scherzer.

The full (80 percent — 12 of 15) slate of games for Thursday:

Milestone Tracker

You can get there from here.

Daily Awards

Not everyone’s a winner. Pretty exclusive club.

News, Injuries and Rumors

Heyman: Dodgers land Cuban prospect Yadier Alvarez

Blue Jays agree to sign top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Giants place Tim Lincecum on disabled list with Cain returning

Royals SP Yordano Ventura throws 84 pitches in 2nd rehab start

Indians’ Michael Bourn to serve one-game suspension Thursday

Cardinals SP Jaime Garcia lined up to make next start Tuesday

Report: Rays 1B James Loney likely to come off DL on Friday

Brewers LF Khris Davis goes hitless in Class A rehab outing

Rays SP Jake Odorizzi impresses in rehab outing

Yankees RF Carlos Beltran (ribs) didn’t swing bat Wednesday

Dodgers OF Carl Crawford leaves minor-league game after HBP

Athletics RP Sean Doolittle will start playing catch next week

Astros OF George Springer (wrist) could end up on DL

More player updates

Look ahead to Friday:

Jake Peavy makes his 2015 debut, as does Dan Straily. Come on, give it up for Dan, he works hard too.

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