Jose Fernandez threw to live batters Thursday for the first time in almost a year as he works his way back to the Miami Marlins after Tommy John surgery.

"It felt great," Fernandez said after throwing 15 pitches. "Finally facing hitters, I'm excited. It felt really fantastic. It felt where I belong."

The 22-year-old, who had the surgery last May, is expected back to the rotation in mid-July, but he and the Marlins aren't rushing anything.

"It's a big step in the process, facing hitters, and hopefully that's what I'll be doing soon," he said.