Jake Westbrook will miss at least one start due to a strained right oblique. The severity of the injury isn't known at this point, but Westbrook will at least miss a big start next week against the Dodgers. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny wouldn't say who will take the righty's spot in the rotation, but he has a few options in Lance Lynn, Trevor Rosenthal and Shelby Miller.

Jake Westbrook's next start is in jeopardy due to an oblique issue. Westbrook evidently suffered the injury at some point during his start Saturday, when he allowed three runs over five innings in a loss to the Brewers. It's not clear who would take his spot, but the Cardinals have numerous options, including Lance Lynn, Trevor Rosenthal and Shelby Miller. Westbrook's turn will come up in the big series against the Dodgers next weekend.

Cardinals signed RHP Jake Westbrook to a one-year contract extension with a mutual option for 2014. The deal essentially triggers Westbrook's $8.5 million mutual option for 2013, while also adding another potential year to his tenure with the Redbrids. Westbrook has posted a 3.50 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 154 1/3 innings this season, bouncing back nicely from a down 2011. He turns 35 years old in late September.

Jake Westbrook allowed two runs on seven hits over six innings Monday in an 8-2 win over the Giants. Solo homers by Angel Pagan and Buster Posey accounted for the runs allowed. Westbrook struck out four and walked none and has now won four consecutive starts. He'll try to keep the streak going this weekend against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

Jake Westbrook eked out six innings in Wednesday's 9-6 win in Colorado, allowing five runs on nine hits and four walks. Westbrook struck out only two in one of his worst starts of the season, but notched his 10th victory thanks to the Cardinals' red-hot bats. Westbrook has now completed at least six innings of work in 10 straight outings. He'll bring a 3.79 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 85/36 K/BB ratio into his Monday home start against the Giants.

According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Jake Westbrook "full intends on exercising" his half of an $8.5 million mutual option for the 2013 season. Westbrook has been good this year, sporting a 3.61 ERA and 1.28 WHIP through 20 starts, but he turns 35 years old in September and the Cardinals have some young starting pitching on the way. St. Louis could decide to move on completely or attempt to negotiate a lower salary with the veteran sinkerballer.

Jake Westbrook allowed four runs -- three earned -- over seven innings and struck out six Thursday in the Cardinals' 7-4 win over the Dodgers. Westbrook gave up five straight singles, two of them of the infield variety, during the Dodgers' four-run fifth innings. Apart from that, he was outstanding, allowing just two other hits. He's 9-8 with a 3.61 ERA.

Jake Westbrook tossed seven scoreless innings Saturday in the Cardinals' trouncing of the Cubs. Westbrook yielded just three hits and fanned five, cruising easily through the Cubs' punchless batting order. The veteran sinkerballer is now 8-8 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 120 innings this season. He has fanned 77 batters and walked 31.

Jake Westbrook pitched well in a losing effort against the Marlins on Friday, surrendering two runs (one earned) on five hits over 6 2/3 innings. Westbrook walked two and struck out two in the game. He cruised through the first five innings unscathed before allowing an unearned run after a pair of errors in the sixth. An RBI infield single from Jose Reyes in the seventh inning pushed the second run across and put him on hook for the loss. It was Westbrook's fifth quality start in his last six outings, who will head into the All-Star break with a 7-7 record and respectable 3.75 ERA.

Jake Westbrook allowed four runs on nine hits in six innings of Sunday's 5-4 win over the Pirates, striking out six as he improved to 7-6. Westbrook walked one and served up a three-run homer to Michael McKenry. Coming off a June where he turned in a 3.66 ERA across 32 innings, Westbrook will get the Marlins at home on Friday.