Flaherty (oblique) threw his second bullpen session Thursday, Jim Hayes of Bally Sports Midwest reports.

EDGE Analysis

Flaherty threw his second bullpen session within the last week, as he continues to progress back from a serious oblique strain. Manager Mike Shildt told reporters that Flaherty's next step will be facing live hitters, though he deferred providing further detail until Friday.

Flaherty (oblique) will throw one more bullpen session before facing live hitters, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander has been sidelined since late May with a strained left oblique, and he won't be eligible to be activated from the 60-day injured list until the start of August. Flaherty could advance straight to rehab games after the next bullpen session, and he'll likely need a few starts in the minors to ramp up before rejoining the Cardinals.

Flaherty (oblique) threw a bullpen session Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Flaherty began a throwing program in mid-June, and he was able to resume mound work Friday. The right-hander is on the 60-day injured list and won't be eligible to return until at least the start of August due to an oblique strain, but his bullpen session represents a clear step forward in his recovery process.

The Cardinals transferred Flaherty (oblique) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Despite recent optimism that Flaherty could return around the All-Star break, he'll now be sidelined until at least the start of August with his strained left oblique. A more specific timeline for the righty's return should become clear as he continues his throwing program in the coming weeks.

Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said Flaherty (oblique) resumed playing "very light catch" Wednesday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Previous reports have suggested that Flaherty's left oblique tear could keep him on the shelf through the All-Star break and potentially early August, but the right-hander's ability to do some light throwing just over two weeks after landing on the injured list offers some hope of a more expedient return than expected. Shildt was careful to note that Flaherty is still in the early stages of his recovery process, and the Cardinals likely won't attempt to put a formal timeline on his return until he's cleared to face hitters. In any case, the fact that Flaherty isn't being shut down entirely at this stage can be taken as a positive sign.

Flaherty's oblique strain is expected to keep him out through the All-Star break, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Previous reports indicated that Flaherty's strain was a significant one, with Katie Woo of The Athletic relaying that the Cardinals were prepared to be without their ace until early August. Heyman's report doesn't offer an official timeline, but it essentially supports the notion that the Cardinals don't anticipate Flaherty returning to the rotation within the next month. Before straining his left oblique, Flaherty had paid off handsomely for those who spent an early round draft pick on him. Through his first 11 starts, Flaherty went 8-1 with a 2.90 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 67 strikeouts in 62 innings.

Manager Mike Shildt said Flaherty was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a "significant" oblique strain and will be sidelined "awhile," Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old exited Monday's start against the Dodgers with tightness in his left side, and he'll now be unavailable for the foreseeable future. Flaherty is without a timeline for his return but figures to be sidelined through the All-Star break in mid July, at minimum. Johan Oviedo was recalled from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move and should be in the mix to fill the open spot in the rotation.

Flaherty will undergo further testing on his left side Tuesday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Flaherty exited his Monday start against the Dodgers after just five innings because of tightness in his left side. The Cardinals will take a closer look at the right-hander Tuesday in attempt to reach a conclusive diagnosis and possible timeline for a return. The 25-year-old is currently lined up to make his next start Saturday against the Reds.

Flaherty was removed from Monday's game against the Dodgers after five innings with left side tightness, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Not factoring into Monday's decision, the right-handed ace struck out nine and allowed two runs on back-to-back, second-inning homers. He also walked a batter and hit another. It's unclear whether Flaherty is dealing with a substantial injury and if he'll require a trip to the injured list, but the Cardinals may need to look elsewhere for innings Saturday, when Flaherty is scheduled to make his next start.

Flaherty (8-1) allowed seven runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out three across 3.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Flaherty escaped what could have been a horrendous line due to defensive lapses behind him. However, he did plenty to sink his own performance by allowing eight baserunners. Entering the contest, Flaherty had surrendered only six earned runs across his last five starts -- a span of 32 innings. Despite the poor outing, Flaherty has maintained a 2.84 ERA and 58:19 K:BB across 57 frames this season. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, currently projected to come Sunday at Arizona.