Phillies Notes: Marlins' Cosart finally gets to pitch at Citizens Bank Park

Jarred Cosart was in line to start a game at Citizens Bank Park last August. But five days before his Astros visited the Phillies, he was traded again, this time to Miami.

Seven seasons after the Phillies drafted him in the 38th round and offered him a $550,000 signing bonus to forgo his commitment to Missouri, Cosart will finally start Wednesday in the ballpark he once visited as a newly signed prospect. The 24-year-old righthander will oppose Cole Hamels.

"It will be fun," said Cosart, a key part of the 2011 trade that brought Hunter Pence to Philadelphia. "I still know some of the guys over there and obviously it's the team that drafted you, gave you your first opportunity. It will be cool but it's another game."

Twice representing the organization in the Futures Game, Cosart boasted the best arm in the Phillies' farm system when he was traded to his hometown Astros. He was one in a fivesome of pitching prospects four years ago dubbed the "Baby Aces."

Cosart has been the most successful of the group, with a 3.33 ERA in 42 big-league starts. Trevor May, with the Twins, is the only other member of the group pitching in the majors. He is 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA through two 2015 starts. Jonathan Pettibone, the lone former "Baby Ace" still with the Phillies, is working his way back from June shoulder surgery.

Cosart made headlines last month when he was subject of an investigation regarding possible connections to sports-related gambling. Major League Baseball found no evidence to suggest Cosart bet on baseball. He was fined an undisclosed amount.

Wednesday will be his third start of the season. He pitched well in his season debut but allowed five runs on seven hits Thursday against the Mets.

Cosart has no hard feelings toward the team that drafted him.

"When I was with the Phillies, I didn't really know how the business side of it worked. I thought I was going to be a Phillie forever," he said. "And then I got traded home, so I got really comfortable there. And then pick up and you go to Miami. It's tough for the first month or two, but getting to play in the big leagues with any team is a privilege and it's pretty special.

"Wherever that leads me in the future, I'm all in with it. But it would be nice to stay here and play with Miami for however long they'll have me."

The third start of Chad Billingsley's rehab assignment was rescheduled from Monday to a yet-to-be-announced day because of an illness, Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. Billingsley (shoulder) is expected to need three more starts before joining the Phillies' rotation. "Arm feels good," he said.

- Jake Kaplan