Kelly's recovery to extend into June

ST. LOUIS -- What the Cardinals had hoped would be a fairly quick recovery will instead drag into June for pitcher Joe Kelly, whom manager Mike Matheny described as still being in the "healing phase."

Kelly, who strained his left hamstring on April 16, continues to throw on flat ground, but without a projected date to return to the mound. Already six weeks removed from pitching, he will have the added rehab step of pitching with a Minor League affiliate before he'd be ready to rejoin the Cardinals.

There are several checkpoints before that, though, including running. He has yet to resume any rigorous leg exercises since sustaining the injury.

"You don't see him out here doing too much but playing catch," Matheny said. "It sounds like his arm has been able to stay strong. He's been able to do all the workouts that he's needed to do. When it comes to the hamstring, you push it a little and wait to see how it responds."