Lynn heads home to get forearm examined

DENVER -- Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn left the club Tuesday to return home early to St. Louis, where he is having his pitching arm examined. Lynn (4-4, 3.07 ERA) had issues with right forearm tightness in his Sunday evening start in Los Angeles, when he pitched five innings and threw 98 pitches, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five en route to a 4-2 win over the Dodgers.

"We're still waiting to hear back," manager Mike Matheny said regarding Lynn's test results, which team officials say should include an MRI. General manager John Mozeliak said he will address the situation Friday in St. Louis.

Lynn is slotted to pitch Saturday against the Royals, with Jaime Garcia opening the series Friday and John Lackey pitching Sunday's finale. Matheny initially planned to use Thursday's off-day to give his starting pitchers an extra day's rest while keeping the rotation's order intact, but he has revised his plans and is not committing to anything beyond Friday until hearing more on Lynn's status.

"Jaime's throwing on Friday," Matheny said before Wednesday's series finale in Colorado. "Going with guys on regular rest is always an option. We also have opportunities to give them [an extra] day, so we just have to weigh it out. We got to see, first of all, how Lance is going to be."

If Lynn doesn't start Saturday, Lackey and Michael Wacha could pitch Saturday and Sunday, respectively, on normal rest.

Lynn initially told Matheny the forearm tightness is something he deals with from time to time and should not be a matter of concern. He has averaged 105.5 pitches per game in his first 12 starts and has only pitched fewer than six innings three times this season.