ST. LOUIS -- Alex Reyes is at the Cardinals facility in Jupiter, Fla., rehabbing the right pectoral strain he suffered on June 26 and making sure he’s in a good place mentally, manager Mike Shildt said Wednesday.

Reyes threw on the side last week and is continuing to play catch, but the process is gradual and taking its time. Shildt said the Cardinals medical staff in Jupiter is optimistic that the strain isn’t serious.

“He’s making baby steps,” Shildt said. “Not as many steps as he’d like moving forward. Making sure he’s in a good place mentally, then taking care of things physically. I continue to stay in touch with Alex, check in and see how he’s doing.”

The timetable for Reyes’ return to pitching in Triple-A Memphis, where he suffered the pectoral strain, is not firm enough to put a date on or even give a rough estimate. The frustrating season continues for Reyes, who is 1-4 with a 6.03 ERA in 12 games (nine starts) in Memphis this year. He was sent there to work on his command early in the season but fractured his non-throwing pinky finger when he punched a wall in late April. When he made it back from that, he exited his June 26 start in the second inning with the pectoral discomfort.

“[His frustration] is high,” Shildt said. “That’s the part I’m trying to do the best I can to humanize it.”

Sosa taking Spring Training routine into big leagues

Edmundo Sosa arrived late Tuesday night, after the Cardinals’ 3-1 loss to Pirates, but is eager and available to help Wednesday. Sosa found out he was getting called up around 3 p.m. on Tuesday after Matt Carpenter was placed on the injured list with a right foot contusion.

“Obviously, I’m super excited and happy to be here and be part of this team to help them win,” Sosa said through a translator.

Sosa, a versatile infielder who was hitting .252 in Memphis with 10 home runs, impressed the Cardinals in Spring Training and was one of the final cuts to the roster. He hit .294 in 17 at-bats in the spring with three doubles, a triple and a .957 OPS. He wanted to keep his same routine in Memphis, in hopes of a call-up this season. With Carpenter out for at least a week or more, Sosa has the opportunity to make an impact off the bench.

“In Spring Training, I started to change a little bit of my swing,” Sosa said. “For example I started with a leg kick to put the ball in the air. I’m hoping to do the same here.”

Gyorko takes swings

Infielder Jedd Gyorko took swings off a tee Wednesday for the first time since his wrist surgery on June 24. He said he is happy with his progress and hopes to go on a rehab assignment in a couple of weeks.

Shildt had said Sunday that Gyorko’s timetable was going to be longer than originally thought, and the Cardinals would evaluate Gyorko in a month to see when he can play again. That had put August in doubt for his return.

“I think people taking a step back, don’t want to get overexcited, jump ahead of where we’re at,” Gyorko said. “There’s still a lot of things to get past, but I’m feeling good and confident with where we’re at.”

Gyorko had originally been placed on the injured list with a left calf strain before having the wrist surgery. He said the calf is feeling good now, and he’s recovering well from the surgery.

The next steps for Gyorko after swinging off a tee will be flip drills and batting practice before going to a rehab assignment.

“I don’t want to get too excited about anything yet, there’s still a lot of steps to go,” Gyorko said. “I’m definitely on the mend, everything is feeling better than what it used to, so we’re headed in the right direction.”