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July 26: Tink Hence (Cards' No. 1 prospect) expected to return to mound Saturday
Hence is expected to make his highly anticipated return to the mound on Saturday night when Double-A Springfield hosts Corpus Christi at Hammons Field.

Hence, 21, hasn’t pitched since June 23 when he left a game after recording just three outs. Hence, who recently attended the Cardinals' win over the Giants at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., said that tightness in his shoulder and chest region led to him leaving starts on June 5 and June 23 prematurely.

Hence was hopeful of exceeding the career-high 96 innings he pitched in 2023 and making a strong push for pitching for the Cardinals in 2024. However, the shoulder/chest injury has led to him starting just 12 games and pitching only 54 2/3 innings thus far this season. Still, he’s posted a 4-2 record with a 3.29 ERA, and he has 73 strikeouts.

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10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST

60-DAY INJURED LIST

CF/SS Tommy Edman (right wrist surgery, sprained ankle)
Expected return: Early August
Edman, whose Minor League rehab stint was recently interrupted by lingering pain with a sprained right ankle, was expected to be off July 26 before returning to the Double-A Springfield lineup as a DH on July 27, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said on July 26. There is no timetable on when Edman -- a 2021 Gold Glove winner and a two-time Gold Glove finalist as a utility player -- will play in the field for the first time, Marmol said.

Edman, who has yet to play for the Cardinals this season after having surgery on his right wrist in October, has had his rehabilitation shut down repeatedly because of lingering pain in his wrist and an ankle he sprained when he awkwardly stepped on a base during infield practice.

In six games this season with Springfield, Edman is 6-for-20 (.300) with a double, four RBIs, five strikeouts and four walks. (Last updated: July 26)

RHP Riley O'Brien (right forearm flexor strain)
Expected return: Early August
O’Brien, who hasn’t pitched for the Cardinals since Opening Day, took another step toward a return to the big league club on July 26 with a scoreless inning of relief in Triple-A Memphis’ 5-3 loss to Columbus.

O’Brien, 29, struck out one and didn’t allow a hit or walk in a scoreless inning of work. He has not allowed a run over two innings of work with Memphis since returning to the mound. O’Brien, who pitched 2 1/3 total MLB innings with the Reds and Mariners previously, made the Cardinals' Opening Day roster after pitching well throughout Spring Training. His rehab from the forearm injury was paused before when pain lingered in May and June.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said on July 26 that O’Brien’s velocity topped out at 97 mph in recent days, giving the team hope that he was close to a return. Marmol said the club would need to see O’Brien pitch on consecutive days before he would be under consideration for an MLB promotion. O’Brien pitched a scoreless inning and struck out Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani on Opening Day before experiencing pain in his right forearm. (Last updated: July 26)

LHP Steven Matz (lower back strain)
Expected return: Mid-August
Matz, who has been on the IL since May 3, retroactive to May 1, was scheduled to throw a second bullpen session on July 20 at Busch Stadium, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. He has been dealing with lingering back pain and has been previously shut down to receive pain-killing injections. Matz was 1-2 with a 6.18 ERA in six starts with the Cardinals prior to going on the injured list. He made three Minor League rehab starts -- one with Triple-A Memphis and two with Double-A Springfield -- before his back pain reappeared.(Last updated: July 19)

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)

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