Gomber (biceps) opened High-A Palm Beach's loss to Fort Myers on Friday, allowing three earned runs on two hits, two walks and a wild pitch across one-third of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

As his final line implies, Gomber was anything but sharp in his first rehab turn, despite the low level of competition. The southpaw fired 22 pitches overall but only nine pitches found the strike zone. Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports that the Cardinals still hope to have Gomber back as a reliever at some point in September, but manager Mike Shildt is leaving all options on the table. "We'll take an evaluation after tomorrow," Shildt said. "It's unfair to say -- what ends up happening is you'll say, 'Well, we need you here by X day in September.' Then you start to push toward that, and you're pushing instead of evaluating and taking it as it comes. We would love for that to happen, but all we can do is evaluate where he's at and where he's at today and how he recovers."

Gomber (biceps) is slated to throw another live batting practice session this week, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gomber was able to throw a live batting practice session last Saturday during which his velocity topped out in the low 90s. The left-hander could progress to what will likely be a relatively length rehab assignment in the near future if he remains free of setbacks.

Gomber (biceps) threw live batting practice Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. "Velocity around 89-91 mph," manager Mike Shildt said. "Good to see him back on the mound."

EDGE Analysis

Gomber had previously dealt with a bout of shoulder fatigue that had put a pause in his throwing program, but that has completely subsided. The southpaw is slated to throw another live batting practice later in the coming week and retains a chance of filling a bullpen role with the team down the stretch if he continues to avoid setbacks.

Gomber (biceps/shoulder), who's been sidelined since mid-May, is slated to resume his throwing program next week, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gomber had to pause his throwing program back in the latter portion of June after experiencing some shoulder fatigue. Even if the upcoming restart goes off without a hitch, Gomber is still looking at a multi-appearance rehab assignment due to his extended layoff. If the right-hander has any chance of latching onto the big-league roster this season, it will almost certainly be when rosters expand in September and he's sufficiently built his stamina and velocity back up.

Gomber (biceps), who'd recently begun throwing at the Cardinals' spring training facility in Jupiter, Florida, recently experienced a setback with shoulder fatigue according to general manager Michael Girsch, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gomber remains 7-to-10 days away from being able to throw live batting practice according to Girsch, at which point he'll begin the process of building up his stamina. The southpaw has been on the injured list since mid-May, so he could need several rehab outings prior to activation.

Gomber was placed on the 7-day injured list due to a biceps injury, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

The extent of Gomber's injury is unknown at this time, though he'll be required to miss at least the next week while on the shelf. The lefty sported a 2.98 ERA with 52 strikeouts over 45.1 innings this season with Triple-A Memphis prior to the injury.

Gomber was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week on Monday, Joe Harris of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The promising southpaw fired seven scoreless innings in a win over Round Rock on Saturday, allowing three hits and a walk while recording six strikeouts. Gomber is 2-0 with a 3.22 ERA and .215 BAA over 22.1 innings overall with the Redbirds and is a candidate for promotion at some point during the season after posting 6-2 record and 4.44 ERA in 11 major-league starts in 2018.

The Cardinals optioned Gomber to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gomber was an adequate short-term rotation option for the Cardinals in the second half of 2018, as he turned in a 4.26 ERA and 53:22 K:BB across 57 frames in his 11 starts. However, with St. Louis returning most of its key starting options to full strength this spring aside from Carlos Martinez (shoulder), Gomber suddenly found himself buried on the depth chart. He'll head to Memphis to continue receiving regular starts while John Gant and Dakota Hudson vie for the final spot in the big-league rotation.

Gomber is out of the running for the final spot in the Cardinals' rotation, Mark Saxon of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Either John Gant or Dakota Hudson will win the fifth starter's spot, while Carlos Martinez (shoulder) could join the rotation in May or June. Considering Gomber has minor-league options remaining, this likely means he is ticketed for the Triple-A rotation to start the season.

Gomber allowed five earned runs on six hits and two walks over 2.1 innings in a 9-1 Grapefruit League loss to the Mets on Sunday. He also recorded a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The young left-hander endured a rough first spring start, giving up another pair of home runs to bring his total allowed to five over his first three appearances. Gomber is considered a candidate for either the starting rotation or bullpen, but in throwing just 33 of 63 pitches for strikes Sunday, he saw his ERA and WHIP rise to 10.29 and 2.00, respectively, over seven spring frames. The 25-year-old was solid last season during his initial big-league cup of coffee, recording five total wins in August alone and finishing with a 6-2 mark across 29 appearances (11 starts). Clark Spencer of MLB.com reports that manager Mike Shildt did not provide any indication of whether Gomber would get another starting opportunity during what remains of spring, but the young southpaw feels that most of his struggles stem from self-inflicted pressure. "I think coming into camp this year, I probably put a little bit too much pressure on myself to try to make the team," Gomber said. "When you're coming as a young guy, it's kind of a pressure-free environment. This is the first time I've ever come to Spring Training with a chance to make the team. I think I fell into a little bit of that trap."