Cardinals transferred RHP Jason Motte from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

The move is being made in order to clear space on the 40-man roster for John Gast, who will be called up to start Tuesday. Motte is out for the year following Tommy John surgery.

Jason Motte underwent successful Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Tuesday in St. Louis.

Jason Motte will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Monday.

Motte held out hope that he could rehab the injury, but he finally opted for surgery after he felt discomfort while throwing Friday. The 30-year-old right-hander will miss the entire 2013 season and could have a late start in 2014. While it's a tough break for the Cardinals, Edward Mujica has emerged as a strong replacement at closer in recent weeks.

Jason Motte (elbow) on Tuesday threw from a greater distance and with more intensity than he had in his previous games of catch.

Motte threw about 25 times from 60 feet and then extended to 90 feet, saying he felt no pain. "It felt good," he said. "However it reacts to that day's throwing or exercise, that's where we go. I could feel great today and come in tomorrow and say, 'Geez, I can't feel my arm' or 'Everything feels fine.'" The Cardinals have pushed back their previously scheduled May 1 deadline in order to see how Motte's elbow responds. We'll have a better idea if he can manage to avoid surgery once he starts throwing from a mound.

Jason Motte (elbow) played catch from about 50 feet on Sunday.

Motte's elbow evidently responded well to a game of catch on Saturday. It remains likely that the closer will eventually require Tommy John surgery, but he's made enough progress that the Cardinals are delaying a decision until after their previously scheduled May 1 deadline.

The Cardinals are willing to extend the May 1 deadline for determining if Jason Motte (elbow) will need to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Motte was able to play catch Saturday and has taken enough steps that the Cardinals are still holding out hope he can avoid surgery. Of course, it might just be that they're delaying the inevitable. Motte is attempting to pitch through a tear in his right UCL and has been out all season. Edward Mujica will continue to replace him at closer, with Mitchell Boggs and Trevor Rosenthal staying in setup roles.

Jason Motte (elbow) will be shut down until May 1, and if he cannot progress by that point, he will undergo surgery.

Jason Motte will undergo a follow-up MRI on his right elbow on Tuesday.

Motte hasn't thrown since he was diagnosed with a flexor tendon strain in his right elbow in March. He has been focusing on arm exercises to strengthen the elbow, but the MRI will be the real test for his progress. Mitchell Boggs will continue to close for now, but Trevor Rosenthal could eventually become a threat for the job if Motte requires a lengthy absence.

Jason Motte (elbow) will be re-evaluated during the middle of the Cardinals' April 8-14 home stand.

Sidelined with a flexor tendon strain in his pitching elbow, there is no timetable for when Motte might resume throwing. The Cardinals are hopeful that rest and rehab will work for the injury, but it's possible surgery will eventually be an option. Mitchell Boggs is closing for the Cards with Motte out.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Jason Motte (elbow) is "still a significant time away" from being cleared for a throwing program.

Motte will open the season on the disabled list and won't be reevaluated for at least another two weeks. While the injury isn't a long-term concern at this point, Motte remains without a timetable to return. Mitchell Boggs will handle the early-season save chances for the Cardinals.