Mikolas will still be a member of the Cardinals' rotation despite his early spring struggles, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas has had a very difficult start to spring training, giving up 13 hits and 10 runs in 4.2 innings while striking out just two batters. Still, the Cardinals consider him a lock for the rotation. If he continues to struggle this spring, his fantasy stock will take a deserved hit, as he's yet to prove that he can get major-league hitters out. But it sounds as though the team won't be giving up on him any time soon, so those who have already drafted him can expect him to at least open the season as a starter.

Mikolas threw a round of live batting practice instead of his regularly scheduled bullpen session Tuesday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas has struggled through his first two Grapefruit League starts, generating an unsightly 19.29 ERA and 0-2 record in the process. The change in routine was designed to give both manager Mike Matheny and pitching coach Mike Maddux a first-hand look at Mikolas pitching to live batters, in an effort to identify what adjustments the right-hander might need to make. Mikolas is slated to next take the mound Thursday against the Marlins.

Mikolas (0-2) allowed four earned runs on six hits over three innings in Saturday's 9-2 Grapefruit League loss to the Braves. He did issue any walks or record any strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Mikolas endured a second rough outing to open his first spring training stateside since returning from spending the last three seasons in Japan. While the results he generated with the Yomiuri Giants during his tenure were certainly encouraging, they've yet to carry over into his first two appearances. The veteran has looked more like the pitcher that generated an unsightly 6.44 ERA and 1.43 WHIP while allowing eight home runs over 57.3 innings in his last taste of major-league action with the Rangers in 2014, as he's now surrendered 10 earned runs over 4.2 innings. The biggest hiccup Saturday was a second-inning, three-run home run that he gave up to Christian Colon, the second such round tripper he's allowed in as many starts. Despite the struggles, both Mikolas and manager Mike Matheny saw some positives as per Zak Kerr of MLB.com, with the fact that the right-hander often notched early-count strikes while compiling 42 over 56 pitches and threw both his fastball and curveball well cited as particularly encouraging aspects of his outing.

Mikolas signed a two-year contract with the Cardinals on Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The deal is said to be worth $15.5 million, per Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com. It's a handsome reward for Mikolas, who bet on himself and turned his career around in Japan after disappointing stints with the Padres and Rangers. The right-hander turned in sub-2.50 ERAs in each of his three seasons with the Yomiuri Giants, and posted a sparkling 187:23 K:BB over 188 innings as a starter last season. He should slot into the rotation behind Carlos Martinez, Michael Wacha and Luke Weaver.

Mikolas signed a contract to play in Japan in 2015 with the Yomiuri Giants, the Japan Times reports. Mikolas struggled in the majors in 2014 with a 6.44 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 10 starts. He'll be just 27 next season, so he could return to MLB if a stint in Japan revitalizes his career.

Mikolas was released by the Rangers on Thursday. Mikolas struggled in his time in the majors in 2014, posting a 6.44 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 10 starts. He'll likely play in Japan in 2015.

Mikolas experienced shoulder discomfort last time he played catch, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Mikolas has dealt with a shoulder issue for a couple weeks, and with him still feeling soreness, it seems there is a good chance he could be shut down for the rest of the season.

Mikolas (shoulder) remains at least a week away from returning to the mound, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Mikolas is running out of time to make another start before the end of the year, though he hasn't been shut down yet.

Mikolas received a cortisone injection in his shoulder Thursday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. Mikolas will likely rest a few days while waiting to see how his body responds to the injection. If all goes well, look for the right-hander to attempt to throw a bullpen session in the near future.

Mikolas (shoulder) will not make his scheduled start Thursday and will likely miss at least one more start after that, according to manager Ron Washington, the Associated Press reports. He was scratched last weekend and now Thursday with shoulder fatigue, and now it sounds like he'll miss three starts resting his shoulder. It's not clear who will take Mikolas' spot in the Rangers' rotation, but they have already scraped the bottom of the barrel at this point, so it's unlikely to be an appealing fantasy option.