Garcia's next rehab start Saturday at Double-A

DENVER -- After a successful start with the Gulf Coast League Cardinals on Monday, left-hander Jaime Garcia is slated to make his next Minor League rehab appearance on Saturday. He'll do so in Double-A Springfield.

Garcia, who has been on the disabled list since June 6 with a left shoulder impingement, threw 2 1/3 shutout innings for the GCL Cardinals. He allowed four hits, no walks and struck out one. His pitch count finished near his target of 45.

"From a pitching standpoint, he had some rust on him," said St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak, who attended the game. "But most importantly, he felt good."

Garcia will likely throw between 60-70 pitches on Friday, as he continues to build up his arm strength. Garcia will need at least two -- and possibly three -- more starts before the Cardinals will consider him ready to return to the rotation.

Garcia's on-schedule rehab work left the club confident enough in his impending return not to feel it necessary to add a starter before Tuesday's non-waiver Trade Deadline.