Gant (groin) played catch Thursday, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's another step for the right-hander, who also did some running and threw a bullpen session Tuesday. The Cardinals are opting to allow Gant to try to work his way through his current groin discomfort by holding him out of game action for several days, and given his level of activity this week, it appears the strategy may be paying off.

Gant (groin) did some running and threw a bullpen session off flat ground Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gant was forced out of his relief appearance Sunday against the Cubs due to right groin discomfort, but he looks on track to avoid a trip to the 10-day injured list. The Cardinals will presumably re-evaluate Gant on Wednesday, and if his groin checks out fine, he could be available for either contest of the team's doubleheader in Milwaukee.

Gant, who exited Sunday's game with right groin discomfort, is hoping multiple days of rest will resolve his issue, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander dealt with similar soreness earlier in the season, and three days of rest did the trick for him on that occasion. Manager Mike Shildt noted Monday he was hoping for the same outcome in this instance, relaying to reporters that Gant was receiving treatment and would be evaluated again shortly thereafter.

Gant left Sunday's game against the Reds with right groin discomfort, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gant only threw five pitches in relief Sunday before leaving the game with trainers as a result of his injury. Manager Mike Shildt said after the game that he's hopeful that Gant's injury is minor and that he could return after 1-to-3 days, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Gant was credited with his sixth hold during a loss to the Tigers in the second game of a doubleheader Thursday, firing two-thirds scoreless innings in which he allowed no hits or walks and recorded one strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander bounced back from having allowed an earned run over an inning against the Twins in his prior outing Tuesday, producing his fourth scoreless effort in his last five appearances. Outside of a couple of stumbles, Gant has been one of manager Mike Shildt's most trusted bullpen assets, posting a 1.00 WHIP and career-best figures in swinging strike rate (13.8 percent) and strikeout rate (32.1 percent) across 14 innings (14 appearances).

Gant (0-2) took the loss in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Pirates, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk across two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Gant came into the game to start the eighth inning with the game tied 1-1. With regulation being just seven innings, a runner was placed on second to start the frame. He struck out Erik Gonzalez for the first out, but gave up a run-scoring single to Cole Tucker a batter later. The Pirates plated two more, but one of the runs was unearned due to Brad Miller's second error on the day. Gant was charged with the loss, although it must be noted that a runner starting the frame on second and Miller's miscue had a huge impact on the inning.

Gant, who recorded three strikeouts over 1.1 scoreless innings during a win over the Cubs in the first game of a doubleheader Monday, now has fired five scoreless frames across four appearances in 2020.

EDGE Analysis

Gant has allowed just one hit and issued one walk during that span while recording seven strikeouts, making him one of Mike Shildt's most effective bullpen options early. Gant has been a study in efficiency as well, registering 15 total outs on the season on just 59 pitches. The right-hander's arm is certainly built up for plenty of work akin to what he's logged thus far, considering he covered 66.1 innings over a career-high 64 appearances in 2019.

Gant is projected to frequently be utilized as an eighth-inning option this coming season, Mark Saxon of The Athletic projects.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander has been one of the team's more versatile and valued pitching assets the last two seasons, a stretch during which Gant has logged 90 appearances, with 19 of those coming in a starting capacity. Gant has produced sub-4.00 ERAs in that pair of campaigns as well, and in his stab at projecting the season-opening pitching depth chart, Saxon lists him as the right-handed component of a setup platoon of sorts with southpaw Andrew Miller. Naturally, Gant could ultimately also be deployed in a couple of other roles as the uniquely formatted regular season unfolds, considering his past body of work corroborates his ability to either operate in long relief or make the occasional start when necessary.

Gant, once considered a candidate to open the season in the starting rotation, is now much likelier to start 2020 in a relief role, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Back when Opening Day still lined up to unfold March 26, Gant appeared to have at least a decent chance of securing one of two projected rotation vacancies. However, the subsequent delay brought about by the current health crisis has bought Miles Mikolas (forearm) substantial recovery time, very likely eliminating one of those spots. Meanwhile, Carlos Martinez appeared on track to secure the other when spring training was suspended, leaving Gant with a much higher likelihood of starting the 2020 campaign out of the bullpen. The right-hander operated exclusively in that capacity during a 2019 season that saw him post a 3.66 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 18 holds across 64 appearances.

Gant was credited with his second victory of the spring in a Grapefruit League win over the Marlins on Thursday, firing two scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and two walks while recording a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander has also had opportunities as a starter to make his case for an open rotation spot to start the regular season, but he tossed in Grapefruit League in middle relief Thursday. Gant is a lock for the Opening Day roster and has generated an impressive 2.53 ERA and .167 BAA across 10.2 innings over four appearances (two starts) during exhibition play; however, whether he opens the 2020 campaign as a starter or reliever will likely hinge on several factors, including whether the extra recovery time Miles Mikolas (forearm) will benefit from due to the delayed start of the regular season will allow the latter to be ready for Opening Day.