ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals plan to take reliever Greg Holland on their upcoming road trip instead of further extending his rehab assignment, manager Mike Matheny confirmed on Sunday.
Holland, who has been on the 10-day disabled list with a right hip impingement since May 26, returned to St. Louis after making appearances with Double-A Springfield on Friday and Saturday. In total, he appeared in five Minor League games, allowing four earned runs on five hits (including two home runs) and five walks. He also struck out four.
The results didn't exactly soften the concerns the Cardinals had about Holland's command upon shutting him down last month. At the time, Holland had allowed multiple runs in four consecutive outings. In 13 1/3 innings this season, he's walked 15, struck out 10 and posted a 9.45 ERA.
"They're not ideal," said Matheny, who did not commit to a specific date on which Holland will likely be activated from the DL. "You want to see [the numbers] improve. I know there's obviously a conversation about the intensity of closing a game and how that sometimes brings the best out of guys. I do get that, but it's going to be tough to replicate that except that no matter what the situation is, we need him to go out and make pitches."
Holland did not identify a necessary mechanical adjustment while he was away, Matheny said, but did relay to the Cardinals that he believes "he's figuring it out."
Though the Cardinals signed Holland on Opening Day with the intent to utilize him as their closer, the veteran right-hander will have to pitch his way back into earning high-leverage opportunities when he does return.
Draft doings
Parker Kelly, the younger brother of catcher Carson Kelly, was among four draftees to reach contract agreements with the Cardinals this weekend. Kelly, a right-handed pitcher out of the University of Oregon, was selected by the club in the 20th round of the Draft.
• Draft Tracker: Every Cardinals pick
The Cardinals also announced the signings of lefty Colin Schmid (13th round), shortstop Michael Perri (21st) and catcher Benito Santiago (34th). The organization has now reached agreements with 32 players.
Worth noting
• Jose Martinez flew to Philadelphia ahead of the Cardinals and was activatede from paternity leave before the series opener with the Phillies on Monday. Martinez traveled to Venezuela on Thursday to witness the birth of his second child, a daughter named Alana. Luke Voit was optioned back to Triple-A Memphis to make room for Martinez.
• Class A Peoria clinched a playoff spot for the fourth season in a row by finishing as the first-half Wild Card winner in the Midwest League. Peoria completed the first half of their schedule with a 39-31 record.
• After going unused by the Cardinals during his first big league callup, Daniel Poncedeleon was roughed up in his start for Memphis on Saturday. Poncedeleon allowed eight runs (two earned) on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings in the club's 13-1 loss.