Injuries & Moves: O'Brien (forearm) continues rehab assignment
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10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Tink Hence (cramping; No. 1 on Cardinals' Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: July
Hence, MLB Pipeline’s No. 48 prospect and the top-ranked player in the Cardinals system, left his June 5 start after two innings because of cramping, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. He struck out three and threw 20 of his 35 pitches for strikes. Hence, 21, was scheduled to return to action the weekend of June 22, but that was delayed by a day or two after he was invited to visit Rickwood Field with other Cardinals prospects for the Negro Leagues tribute game. For the season, Hence is 4-2 with a 3.19 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings pitched. (Last updated: June 20)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Riley O'Brien (right forearm flexor strain)
Expected return: Early August
O’Brien began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on July 20, allowing a hit and a pair of walks over his sole inning of work. In O’Brien’s second rehab outing on July 23, he fired another scoreless inning in relief on one hit. The right-hander will pitch again for Memphis on July 26. The 29-year-old experienced pain in the flexor tendon in his right forearm after pitching one inning against the Dodgers on Opening Day, and his return has stalled because of recurring pain. He made the Opening Day roster following a stellar Spring Training, but he experienced pain following an outing that included a strikeout of superstar Shohei Ohtani. (Last updated: July 24)
CF/SS Tommy Edman (right wrist surgery, sprained ankle)
Expected return: Early August
Edman, who has yet to play for the Cardinals this season after having surgery on his right wrist in October, suffered another setback in his comeback attempt earlier in the month when his injured right ankle required a pain-killing injection. Edman will take ground balls, run the bases and take batting practice on the field with Double-A Springfield on July 23 before returning to game action the following day as the team's designated hitter, manager Oliver Marmol said.
Edman played four games with Springfield prior to the break, going 4-for-14 with two walks and four RBIs. He started experiencing pain in the ankle over the break and received the pain-killing injection, Marmol said, adding that when Edman returns, he will split time in the infield and outfield.
Edman was shut down several times during Spring Training because of lingering pain in his surgically repaired right wrist. Then, he sprained his right ankle on June 25 when he stepped awkwardly on second base during infield drills (Last updated: July 22)
LHP Steven Matz (lower back strain)
Expected return: Mid-August
Matz, who has been on the IL since May 3, retroactive to May 1, is scheduled to throw a second bullpen session on July 20 at Busch Stadium, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. He has been dealing with lingering back pain and has been previously shut down to receive pain-killing injections. Matz was 1-2 with a 6.18 ERA in six starts with the Cardinals prior to going on the injured list. He made three Minor League rehab starts -- one with Triple-A Memphis and two with Double-A Springfield -- before his back pain reappeared.(Last updated: July 19)
RHP Keynan Middleton (right forearm flexor surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Middleton will undergo season-ending right flexor repair surgery, manager Oliver Marmol said on June 4.
“In order for him to have any shot of being ready for 2025, it’s the best option, so his season will be over,” Marmol said.
After spending several weeks rehabilitating and strengthening his forearm, Middleton recently made five appearances and compiled a 2.25 ERA for Double-A Springfield. However, pain returned in the forearm following relief appearances on May 22-23. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 22. (Last updated: June 22)
LHP Drew Rom (left shoulder surgery)
Expected return: September
Rom, who was acquired last July in a trade with the Orioles, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder that might allow him to return later this season, manager Oliver Marmol said. Marmol dubbed the procedure as “a best-case scenario,” and is hopeful Rom can return in the fall.
Rom, 24, made three starts in Spring Training before being put on the injured list with shoulder trouble. He was later moved to the 60-day IL.
After being acquired in the trade centered around Jack Flaherty, Rom made his MLB debut in 2023 with the Cardinals. In eight starts, Rom was 1-4 with an 8.06 ERA. His first MLB win was over the Orioles in Baltimore. (Last updated: May 9)