CHICAGO -- Miles Mikolas, who missed the MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard to return home for the birth of his twins, will open the second half on the paternity list, the Cardinals announced on Wednesday. Reliever Matt Bowman will join the club in Chicago on Thursday to fill the roster spot until Mikolas returns.
Players are eligible to remain on the paternity list for up to three days, though it was not immediately known whether Mikolas planned to be away for that long. The timing of Mikolas' departure was a bit unexpected as his wife, Lauren, had previously announced that she was due to give birth in September.
The Cardinals have Mikolas scheduled to start next on Sunday in the finale of the club's five-game series at Wrigley Field. Carlos Martinez and Jack Flaherty will start on Thursday and Friday, respectively. John Gant will pitch one game of Saturday's doubleheader, and the Cardinals will call Luke Weaver up from Triple-A to start the other.
Bowman last pitched for the Cardinals on June 18, after which he was placed on the disabled list due to blisters on his right middle finger. Bowman was simultaneously diagnosed with Raynaud's syndrome, which was affecting blood circulation in his hand.
When Bowman was activated from the disabled list two weeks ago, the Cardinals optioned the right-hander to Triple-A Memphis. In 20 1/3 innings with the Cardinals this season, Bowman has posted a 5.75 ERA.