Jose Fernandez will begin pitching in live games at extended spring training next Monday - MLB

Great news on rehabbing ace Jose Fernandez.

Bob Nightengale of USAToday.com reports that Fernandez — who underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery last May — has been cleared to begin pitching in games at extended spring training next Monday.

Fernandez will likely make three or four starts at the Marlins’ spring training complex in Jupiter, Florida before embarking on a lengthy minor league rehab assignment. The hope is that he will be ready to make his 2015 debut around the first week of July.

Fernandez, who owns an absurd 2.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 10.3 K/9 in 224 1/3 career innings, has experienced zero setbacks so far in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. And he’s still only 22.

Maybe the Fish will finally have their ducks in a row by the time he’s ready to rock.

Follow @drewsilv

ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas is sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The right-hander signed a three-year, $55.75 million contract on Friday that will carry through the 2025 season.

The new deal replaces a $68 million, four-year contract signed in February 2019 that covered the 2020-23 seasons and was set to pay $15.75 million this year.

Mikolas will receive a $5 million signing bonus payable July 1 and will make $18.75 million in 2023 and $16 million in each of the following two seasons. Mikolas can earn a $250,000 bonus for winning a Cy Young Award, $50,000 for All-Star election or selection or winning a Gold Glove, $100,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $150,000 for World Series MVP.

Mikolas is scheduled to make the second opening-day start of his big league career next Thursday when the Cardinals host Toronto. Mikolas went 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA last season while helping St. Louis to the NL Central title.

“Miles stands among the top pitchers in the game today, and has continued to provide a steady presence for us both in the rotation and inside the clubhouse,” St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement.

Mikolas is 45-40 with a 3.79 in 143 games with San Diego, Texas and St. Louis. He recently pitched six shutout innings in two appearances for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic.