Injuries & Moves: Lynn makes return
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Sept. 11: RHP Lance Lynn activated; RHP Chris Roycroft optioned to Triple-A
Out of action with the Cardinals since July 30 with irritation in his right knee, Lynn was activated to make his starting pitching return against the Reds.
Lynn, 37, last pitched for the Cardinals on July 30 and held the Rangers to one run on three hits and one walk over five innings despite limping badly on a painful right knee. After two bullpen sessions and two live batting practice sessions, Lynn had a rocky Minor League rehab outing for Triple-A Memphis on Sept. 1 when he allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings.
To make room on the roster, the Cardinals optioned Roycroft back to Triple-A Memphis. The 6-foot-8 Roycroft pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings on Tuesday night while striking out two Cincinnati hitters.
Sept. 10: INF Thomas Saggese selected from Triple-A Memphis; OF Victor Scott II optioned to Triple-A
Saggese, the Cardinals' No. 4 prospect, was selected from Triple-A Memphis and was in the starting lineup at shortstop Tuesday against the Reds. Saggese, 22, batted seventh and wore No. 25 in his Major League debut.
Scott, who has seen his playing time drastically decrease since the return of Michael Siani from an oblique strain, has hit .164 with two homers, nine doubles and nine RBIs in 50 games with the Cardinals. He also stole five bases without getting caught. More >>
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
C/DH Willson Contreras (fractured right middle finger)
Expected return: Week of Sept. 16
Contreras, who fractured the middle finger on his right hand on Aug. 24 when a pitch hit him, will be out of action for three weeks, but will not need surgery, manager Oliver Marmol revealed on Aug. 26 following the Cardinals' 7-4 loss to the Padres.
Marmol said the club is still hopeful of getting Contreras back before the end of the season despite him needing three weeks without contact to promote healing in his finger. After that three-week absence, Contreras will likely need a Minor League rehab assignment to gear back up for Major League pitching. Rookies Iván Herrera and Pedro Pagés are expected to fill in for Contreras while he is out.
Contreras missed seven weeks earlier this season when he fractured his left forearm after getting hit by the bat of Mets slugger JD Martinez. From May 8 to June 24, the Cardinals went 24-17 with Herrera and Pagés handling the catching duties.
In 84 games, Contreras leads the Cardinals in OPS [.848], hitting .262 with 15 home runs and 36 RBIs. (Last updated: Aug. 26)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Keynan Middleton (right forearm flexor surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Middleton underwent season-ending flexor repair surgery on his right forearm on June 11, per manager Oliver Marmol.
“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)