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Cosart To Make Season Debut After Gambling Controversy

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MIAMI (AP) -- Jarred Cosart issued an apology earlier this month for his role in an investigation with potentially serious consequences.

Now the right-hander is simply looking to put his controversial off season behind him.

Making his season debut after being cleared of gambling on baseball, Cosart will try to help the Miami Marlins take the first two in a three-game home set with the in-state rival Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.

MLB began to investigate the 24-year-old in late March after direct message conversations posted on Twitter linked him to a gambler. Of course, players found to have gambled on baseball or attempted to fix games could receive a ban.

Although it did not find that to be the case, MLB did punish Cosart for his involvement in gambling unrelated to baseball.

"Cosart has received an undisclosed fine for violations of Major League Rule 21(d)(3) that were revealed during the investigation," the league said in a statement. "Major League Rule 21(d)(3) prohibits players from placing bets with illegal book makers, or agents for illegal book makers."

After avoiding a suspension in a matter now considered closed, Cosart (13-11, 3.69 ERA in 2014) is looking forward to getting back on the mound after a blister on his right middle finger delayed his first start.

"I'm sorry for any distractions this may have caused the Marlins, my teammates, coaches, and our incredible fans," Cosart said after the ruling. "I'm glad to bring closure to this situation before opening day and I look forward to a great season."

Cosart, acquired from Houston last July, finished strong with a 1.99 ERA while going 4-3 over his last nine starts.

He has won each of his three career starts against the Rays (1-3) while posting a 1.17 ERA. Desmond Jennings is just 1 for 10 lifetime off Cosart and Evan Longoria is 2 for 10, though one of those hits was a two-run homer.

While both clubs overcame their early offensive struggles Friday, Miami (1-3) avoided matching its worst start after blowing a seven-run lead when Christian Yelich delivered a walk-off single in the 10th inning for a 10-9 victory.

Dee Gordon finished with three hits, while Yelich and Giancarlo Stanton each knocked in three runs. Stanton has gone 6 for 12 with a home run, two doubles and five RBIs in his last three games versus Tampa Bay.

The Marlins had scored three runs and batted .202 with no homers in a season-opening sweep at the hands of Atlanta.

Tampa Bay batted .202 in its home series against Baltimore, but Asdrubal Cabrera had three hits and two RBIs and Kevin Kiermaier belted his second home run in three games to help the Rays break through at the plate. Kiermaier is 5 for 7 with two homers and three RBIs over his last two matchups with Miami.

"It was just amazing," Rays manager Kevin Cash said of Friday's comeback attempt. "I would think these guys should be feeling pretty good about themselves carrying over to the next ballgame."

Chris Archer (0-1, 4.76) looks to rebound from a rocky performance in a season-opening 6-2 home loss to Baltimore. The right-hander allowed four runs and six hits - including two home runs - over 5 2-3 innings.

In his only career outing at Miami, Archer gave up one run and fanned eight over 7 1-3 innings in a 1-0 loss June 3.

Tampa Bay has dropped all five meetings over the past two seasons.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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