ST. LOUIS -- Brandon Moss and Matt Carpenter both took the field on Friday afternoon to push through new tests as a part of their respective rehab programs.
Moss, who sprained his left ankle on July 4, can do just about everything pain-free except run the bases. Getting his ankle strong enough to make a left cut without discomfort remains the final task for Moss before he can gain clearance to begin a Minor League rehab assignment.
"It's been getting better every day -- not at the speed I would like it to -- but I think it's what [the training staff] expected," Moss said. "Straight-line running is fine. It's the arcs to the left. Once I put stress on the ligament the way it messed up, it doesn't feel great. Hopefully, it continues to progress the way it's been progressing."
Carpenter, who strained his right oblique two days after Moss' injury, took ground balls at second base, made controlled throws to first and participated in mobility work during the Cardinals' batting-practice session. He has not resumed swinging, which is the last benchmark in his rehab work.

Carpenter has said he is targeting an early August return.
"It's a pretty structured rehab as far as that injury goes," manager Mike Matheny said. "There's only so far they'll let him go. Even though Matt is probably wanting to push that a little further, it's probably not smart."
Worth noting
• The Cardinals intend to have one of their relievers start Sunday's game against the Dodgers, but will wait to announce their selection until after the first two games of the series. Tyler Lyons was considered to be the likely candidate, but the left-hander was needed for multiple innings in the marathon series opener.
• Any chance that top prospect Alex Reyes could be summoned to make a spot start on Sunday was erased on Thursday, when Reyes made his scheduled start for Triple-A Memphis. Reyes threw 96 pitches (59 strikes) over 5 2/3 innings and allowed four runs on six hits and four walks. He struck out five.
• Memphis had to postpone its home game on Friday after the team's flight from Dallas was canceled. Without another way to travel home, the club rode a bus back to Memphis. The Redbirds will make up the game as part of a doubleheader on Saturday.
• ESPN announced that it has selected the Cardinals' Aug. 14 road game against the Cubs for its Sunday Night broadcast. First pitch is now scheduled for 7:08 CT.
• The Cardinals have teamed up with Relevent Sports and the Gary Sinise Foundation to raise money for Michael Flamion, an officer in the Ballwin Police Department who was paralyzed after being shot while conducting a traffic stop earlier this month. Fans purchasing tickets to the Aug. 1 soccer match between Liverpool FC and AS Roma who use the promotional code BALLWINPD will ensure that 50 percent of the sale proceeds are donated to Officer Flaminon. Tickets can be purchased at cardinals.com/soccer.
• Catcher Michael McKenry, who was designated for assignment on Tuesday, cleared waivers but elected to become a free agent. The departure of McKenry further thins the organization's catching depth. Top catching prospect Carson Kelly was recently promoted to Triple-A to fill a void there.