Hill talks key issues for Marlins’ stretch run

MIAMI — It’s approaching late August and the Marlins are in the thick of the postseason race. They just improved their chances by sweeping a three-game set against the Pirates in Pittsburgh, and they remain 1 1/2 games behind the Cardinals for the second National League Wild Card spot.

Miami’s task to reach the postseason for the first time since winning the World Series in 2003 doesn’t get any easier with the red-hot Kansas City Royals visiting Marlins Park for three games starting on Tuesday.

With six weeks to go in the regular season, Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill addressed five key issues for the stretch run:

1. Jose Fernandez’s innings From this point forward, there are no more restrictions regarding Fernandez, who recently had one start skipped in order to remain within his innings structure. The hard-throwing right-hander is being monitored because he is in his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2014.

Fernandez is at 23 starts and 141 2/3 innings. The club is aiming to keep in in the 180-190 range, while also having him available for the playoffs, should Miami earn a spot.

“We’re within his innings range,” Hill said. “He continues to give us positive feedback, and [he] feels strong. We’ll have him healthy ready to go down the stretch.”

2. Updates on Adam Conley and Wei-Yin Chen The two left-handers are on the disabled list, and they may be available in September. …

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