Motte's next step: Pitching on back-to-back days

PITTSBURGH -- After throwing 16 pitches (12 for strikes) while facing four batters in an appearance with Double-A Springfield on Friday, Jason Motte took the mound again on Saturday night, and he pitched a scoreless inning with a walk. It's the first time during his rehab assignment that he pitched on back-to-back days.

Motte, whose Saturday outing was his fourth with Springfield, relayed via text that everything has "been going good so far." He added that the expectation is that he will join the Triple-A Memphis club after this next appearance to wrap up his rehab from Tommy John surgery.

Motte passed the one-year anniversary of his surgery this week. If all continues to go well with his rehab, he will be back with the Cardinals before the end of the month.