As the St. Louis Cardinals anticipate the return of veteran right-hander Lance Lynn from a knee injury, they are considering a six-man rotation to better manage their pitching staff.
Lynn, who has been sidelined since July 30, is showing promising signs of recovery. He recently participated in a live bullpen session on August 20, throwing 45 pitches to teammates and Cardinals’ bench coach Daniel Descalso. Manager Oliver Marmol reported that Lynn’s session was encouraging, noting that he was able to increase intensity without experiencing pain.
The Cardinals are projecting Lynn to throw around 60 pitches in another bullpen session scheduled for August 26. Following this, he is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment. According to John Mozeliak, the team’s president of baseball operations, Lynn could return to the major league roster toward the end of August or early September.
Lynn’s return comes at a crucial time for the Cardinals, who have struggled with their starting rotation this season. With an ERA of 4.50, the team’s starters rank 23rd in the league. Additionally, left-handed pitcher Steven Matz has been out for most of the season due to a back injury, prompting the Cardinals to acquire Erick Fedde from the Chicago White Sox in a bid to bolster the rotation.
In Matz’s absence, Andre Pallante, who has primarily been a reliever, has stepped into a starting role. Pallante has delivered solid performances, including a notable outing on August 17, where he pitched seven innings and allowed only two runs in a victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. His transition from the bullpen to the rotation has been impressive, and Marmol has praised his growth and confidence on the mound.
Mozeliak has indicated that the team might consider a six-man rotation to manage the workload and optimize performance when Lynn returns. This strategy could provide several benefits, including reducing the risk of injury for pitchers and offering better rest between starts. It also allows the Cardinals to integrate Lynn back into the rotation gradually while maintaining a fresh and effective pitching staff.
Overall, Lynn’s potential return and the implementation of a six-man rotation could be a key factor in improving the Cardinals’ pitching performance and bolstering their chances as the season progresses.
