MIAMI -- Right-hander Lance Lynn and catcher Brayan Peña moved their rehab work from the Cardinals' Jupiter, Fla., complex to Miami on Thursday in order to showcase their progress in front of the Major League staff.
Lynn, who underwent Tommy John surgery last November, threw a bullpen session before the team's series opener against the Marlins. He's been throwing off the mound for weeks now, some sessions extending as deep as 45 pitches. Lynn recently began incorporating offspeed pitches into that work, as well.
"[I'm] impressed with Lance, a little further along than I thought he'd be as far as the intensity," manager Mike Matheny said after observing. "The ball was jumping, and he was putting it where he wanted to. It was a positive day for him."
Lynn has thrown seven live batting-practice sessions against hitters back in Jupiter and will continue with those through the end of August. There is a chance Lynn may even make a cameo in the Minors on a rehab assignment before the Minor League season ends. That all just depends on timing and whether his progression continues uninhibited.
Although Lynn is not expecting to return to the Majors this season, he hasn't entirely ruled out the possibility.
"If I feel l can get people out," Lynn said. "We'll just see how I feel."
Pena expects to be back this season, but the question is when. He reappeared in the Cardinals' clubhouse much slimmer, having lost 12 pounds during his three weeks on the disabled list.
"It was something that was good for me to do," said Pena, who still hopes to drop another 10 pounds. "I'm going to do whatever it takes to come back and be strong. I'm working very hard at my mobility and my strength."
Pena has been catching Lynn's bullpen sessions, and he took on-field batting practice with the Cards on Thursday.
"We don't really have a timetable for [returning]," said Pena, who aggravated a left knee injury earlier this month. "Right now, we're just going to continue to improve. That's my mentality. I just want to be able to be ready. I really learned my lesson from [rushing back] the first time."
Jhonny Peralta (left thumb ligament strain) is expected to join the Cardinals on Friday to begin increasing his baseball activities under the supervision of the Major League staff. Peralta is eligible to come off the disabled list on Tuesday.
Brandon Moss, who has been sidelined since July 5 because of a left ankle sprain, began a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Thursday. If all goes without interruption, Moss is expected to join the Cards in Cincinnati next week.
Matt Carpenter (right oblique strain) continues his rehab work in St. Louis and is likely to go out on his own rehab assignment this weekend.