Lyons, Kelly getting closer to returning

ST. LOUIS -- While the Cardinals are making a weekend stop in Cincinnati, rehabbing pitchers Tyler Lyons and Joe Kelly will remain in St. Louis to continue their respective throwing programs.

Lyons, diagnosed with a left shoulder strain on May 13, appears to be the closer of the two to a return. An MRI and followup medical exams showed no reason for long-term concern, and Lyons resumed playing catch at the start of the week.

Because the left-hander went only a week without throwing, his arm remains relatively well conditioned. Once he returns to throwing from the mound -- something that could start as early as next week -- Lyons may be able to make a fairly rapid return. His last outing was a four-inning start on May 12.

"We'll see how things go," Lyons said. "I'll just keep playing catch and then hopefully it will go quickly from there."

Kelly, recovering from an April 16 left hamstring strain, continues to throw on flat ground. He, too, does not know when he'll step back on a mound. He admitted to still feeling tightness in his hamstring.

"There's not really much pain there anymore, but it's just tight in some spots still," Kelly said. "It feels better all the time. Every day I feel like it improves."