Gonzales to resume throwing soon
Cardinals prospect has been sidelined due to tightness in left pectoral muscle
ST. LOUIS -- Lefty Marco Gonzales, who stopped throwing after his April 20 start due to tightness in his left pectoral muscle, is expected to resume playing catch late this week. Assuming Gonzales has no additional setbacks, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said he expects the lefty to make his next Triple-A Memphis start on or around May 10.
The timing of Gonzales' injury precluded him from being considered an immediate rotation replacement for Adam Wainwright. He'll need to make at least one Minor League start to prove his health and build back arm strength before the Cardinals would reconsider him for a Major League starting job.
In three Triple-A starts this season, Gonzales has allowed eight runs on 20 hits and three walks over 16 innings. He has struck out 13.
Gonzales is ranked by MLBPipeline.com as the Cardinals' No. 2 prospect.
Additional medical updates:
• Lefty Jaime Garcia (left shoulder tightness) threw 54 pitches over five innings in a simulated game against hitters in extended spring camp on Tuesday. Mozeliak said Garcia "felt good" and will throw next on Tuesday, when he appears in a camp game at the team's spring complex.
• The Cardinals have still not determined when Randal Grichuk (lower back strain) will report for a Minor League rehab assignment. Mozeliak said Grichuk planned to increase his swinging on Thursday and continue throwing, which he began on Tuesday. Grichuk will not come off the disabled list when eligible on Saturday.