Injuries & Moves: Update on Edman (wrist, ankle)
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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
CF/SS Tommy Edman (right wrist surgery, sprained ankle)
Expected return: Early August
Edman, whose Minor League rehab stint was recently interrupted by lingering pain with a sprained right ankle, was expected to be off July 26 before returning to the Double-A Springfield lineup as a DH on July 27, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said on July 26. There is no timetable on when Edman -- a 2021 Gold Glove winner and a two-time Gold Glove finalist as a utility player -- will play in the field for the first time, Marmol said.
Edman, who has yet to play for the Cardinals this season after having surgery on his right wrist in October, has had his rehabilitation shut down repeatedly because of lingering pain in his wrist and an ankle he sprained when he awkwardly stepped on a base during infield practice.
In six games this season with Springfield, Edman is 6-for-20 (.300) with a double, four RBIs, five strikeouts and four walks. (Last updated: July 26)
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)
LHP Steven Matz (lower back strain)
Expected return: Mid-August
Matz, who has been on the IL since May 3, retroactive to May 1, was 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 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)