Wainwright (elbow) was activated as expected ahead of his scheduled start Monday against Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

Wainwright made just four starts for the Cardinals before being shut down in early May with an elbow issue. The 37-year-old is back for the playoff push, though it's unclear how much he has left in the tank. His respectable 4.00 ERA in those four starts hid an ugly 15:14 K:BB, and he posted ERAs of 4.62 and 5.11 over the last two seasons. Assuming he gets through his first start back unscathed, he lines up for a two-start week, throwing again against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Manager Mike Shildt said Wainwright (elbow) will be activated from the 60-day DL on Sept. 10 to start against the Pirates, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wainwright has been limited to just four starts this season due to an elbow injury, but he's been cleared to rejoin the big-league rotation after firing five scoreless innings in his sixth and final rehab start over the weekend. The veteran right-hander appears ready to go, as he struck out 23 while not allowing a run across 17 innings during his six-game rehab stint. He owns a 4.00 ERA across 18 innings with the Cardinals this season.

Wainwright (elbow) fired five scoreless innings in Triple-A Memphis' win over Nashville on Saturday, scattering five hits and issuing two walks while recording seven strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

This very likely was Wainwright's final rehab appearance, and if so, he certainly heads back to the majors with plenty of confidence. The veteran right-hander worked up to 90 pitches, easily his largest workload of his five minor-league outings. Wainwright threw 17 scoreless frames overall during his rehab stint while recording an impressive 23 strikeouts. Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports that Wainwright is scheduled to be back in St. Louis on Sunday to meet with team officials about their plans for him for the remainder of the season. Those are believed to include a start on the Cardinals' upcoming road trip following his activation at some point in the coming week.

Wainwright (elbow) will make another rehab start for Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wainwright had only gotten up to 61 pitches in his most recent rehab start, so he'll need to keep increasing his pitch count if the Cardinals are considering using him in the rotation in September. If he does regain a starting role right away, he could be lined up to start Sept. 7 in Detroit.

Wainwright (elbow) fired four scoreless innings in Triple-A Memphis' win over Nashville on Monday, allowing three hits and two walks while recording four strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

It's just the latest installment in Wainwright's highly encouraging rehab assignment, one that's seen him generate five scoreless efforts at three different levels of the minors. Wainwright worked up to four innings for the first time in his rehab stint, throwing a total of 61 pitches. Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports that the Cardinals are still likely to deploy the veteran right-hander in relief once he's activated, even as he continues to get stretched out and has his fastball back up to the low 90s. Wainwright is likely to log at least one more outing with the Redbirds before rosters expand next Saturday, at which point he's expected to be back on the big-league roster.

Wainwright's (elbow) scheduled rehab start for Triple-A Memphis has been pushed back a day until Monday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

The change has nothing to do with a setback on Wainwright's part, but rather, an attempt to keep Daniel Poncedeleon on track to return to the major-league club for a Sept. 1 start. Wainwright is still slated to stretch out to four innings as he also prepares for a return to the Cardinals shortly after rosters expand next Friday.

Wainwright (elbow) will start Sunday for Triple-A Memphis, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wainwright tossed three scoreless innings on 44 pitches during his latest rehab outing, and he'll attempt to make it through four innings in his next minor-league start. The Cardinals are hoping to stretch him out for a return to the rotation, although a bullpen role isn't out of the question. Wainwright appears primed for a return from the disabled list after rosters expand Sept. 1.

Wainwright (elbow) fired three scoreless innings in Double-A Springfield's loss to Northwest Arkansas on Wednesday, allowing two hits and recording three strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Wainwright worked up to 44 pitches, his highest thus far in any minor-league appearance during his current rehab. The veteran right-hander has now put together four scoreless appearances overall between High-A Palm Beach and Double-A Springfield, but he'll likely remain in the minors until big-league rosters expand Sept. 1.

Wainwright (elbow) is slated to make another rehab appearance with Double-A Springfield on Wednesday, Jack Baer of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The recovering right-hander worked up two innings in his first Double-A outing on Sunday, getting through the pair of frames with just one hit allowed and four strikeouts. Wainwright is slated to work up to 35 pitches in Wednesday's start, which would represent a new high-water mark for him in terms of volume during his rehab assignment. Interim manager Mike Shildt commented Monday that how Wainwright will be deployed upon his activation is still to be decided.

Wainwright (elbow) fired two scoreless innings in Double-A Springfield's rain-shortened win over Corpus Christi on Sunday, allowing a hit and recording four strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander moved his rehab up one level of competition after making his first two appearances with High-A Palm Beach, and the results were high encouraging. Wainwright fired 27 pitches overall, and given the success of the outing, he could be line to make his next minor-league start with Triple-A Memphis.