Injuries & Moves: Lynn (knee) on IL; McGreevy recalled
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Sept. 18: RHP Lance Lynn (right knee inflammation) placed on 15-day IL; RHP Michael McGreevy recalled
In a move that was largely expected after McGreevy was scratched from a Tuesday start with Triple-A Memphis and Lynn moved to 6-0 at Busch Stadium with a win over the Pirates, the Cardinals promoted the 24-year-old McGreevy and sent the 37-year-old Lynn to the 15-day injured list with persistent knee pain.
The move ends the season for Lynn, who made his 100th career appearance at Busch Stadium III on Tuesday night. Lynn limited the Pirates to four hits and one earned run over six innings in the Cardinals' 3-1 victory. Lynn, who spent five weeks on the injured list with knee pain in August and early September, said following the game that if it was his final start of the season that he was happy that it came at Busch Stadium -- a place where he has not lost since July 4, 2017 (a stretch of 21 straight starts).
McGreevy returns to St. Louis, where he pitched a one-run, five-hit gem over seven innings on July 31 in his Major League debut. The former first-round pick in 2021 (No. 18 overall) was 9-8 with a 4.02 ERA this season in 27 starts with Triple-A. He struck out 138 batters and limited them to a .259 batting average in 150 Triple-A innings.
McGreevy will work out of the Cardinals bullpen over the next week, manager Oliver Marmol said.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Lance Lynn (right knee irritation)
Expected return: Done for season
Lynn’s season effectively ended on Wednesday when the Cardinals put him on the 15-day IL, one day after he limited the Pirates to four hits and one earned run over six innings in a 3-1 victory. Lynn, who spent five weeks on the IL with right knee irritation in August and early September, knew that Tuesday’s start would almost certainly be his last of the season and he wanted it to be at Busch Stadium. He was 6-0 this season at home, a place where he has not lost since July 4, 2017 (a stretch of 21 straight starts). (Last updated: Sept. 18)
C/DH Willson Contreras (fractured right middle finger)
Expected return: Week of Sept. 16
Contreras, who fractured the middle finger on his right hand on Aug. 24 when a pitch hit him, will be out of action for three weeks, but will not need surgery, manager Oliver Marmol revealed on Aug. 26 following the Cardinals' 7-4 loss to the Padres.
Marmol said the club is still hopeful of getting Contreras back before the end of the season despite him needing three weeks without contact to promote healing in his finger. After that three-week absence, Contreras will likely need a Minor League rehab assignment to gear back up for Major League pitching. Rookies Iván Herrera and Pedro Pagés are expected to fill in for Contreras while he is out.
Contreras missed seven weeks earlier this season when he fractured his left forearm after getting hit by the bat of Mets slugger JD Martinez. From May 8 to June 24, the Cardinals went 24-17 with Herrera and Pagés handling the catching duties.
In 84 games, Contreras leads the Cardinals in OPS [.848], hitting .262 with 15 home runs and 36 RBIs. (Last updated: Aug. 26)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Keynan Middleton (right forearm flexor surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Middleton underwent season-ending flexor repair surgery on his right forearm on June 11, per manager Oliver Marmol.
“In order for him to have any shot of being ready for 2025, it’s the best option, so his season will be over,” Marmol said.
After spending several weeks rehabilitating and strengthening his forearm, Middleton recently made five appearances and compiled a 2.25 ERA for Double-A Springfield. However, pain returned in the forearm following relief appearances on May 22-23. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 22. (Last updated: June 22)
LHP Drew Rom (left shoulder surgery)
Expected return: September
Rom, who was acquired last July in a trade with the Orioles, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder that might allow him to return later this season, manager Oliver Marmol said. Marmol dubbed the procedure as “a best-case scenario,” and is hopeful Rom can return in the fall.
Rom, 24, made three starts in Spring Training before being put on the injured list with shoulder trouble. He was later moved to the 60-day IL.
After being acquired in the trade centered around Jack Flaherty, Rom made his MLB debut in 2023 with the Cardinals. In eight starts, Rom was 1-4 with an 8.06 ERA. His first MLB win was over the Orioles in Baltimore. (Last updated: May 9)