Cardinals president of baseball operations said Friday that Matz (shoulder) will make one more minor-league rehab start before returning from the 15-day injured list, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matz completed his third rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Memphis, working 3.1 innings while striking out four and allowing two earned runs on two hits and one walk. Since Matz exited after throwing 59 pitches, the Cardinals will likely want to see the lefty get stretched out to the 70-to-80-pitch range in his upcoming rehab start before bringing him back from the IL. Matz is likely to make his next minor-league appearance Tuesday before potentially slotting back into the St. Louis rotation for the Cardinals' final game of the first half July 17 against the Reds.

Matz (shoulder) is scheduled to make the third start of his rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Memphis, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to Denton, the Cardinals had considered bringing Matz back from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday's series finale in Atlanta, but the organization's brain trust ultimately decided he was better off getting stretched out in the minors for one more outing. After he worked three innings and tossed 45 pitches his last time out for Memphis on Saturday, he'll be aiming for around four innings and 60 pitches Thursday. He'll report back to St. Louis following the start to be re-evaluated, and if the Cardinals are satisfied with the condition of his shoulder, he should be activated and re-enter the rotation during the final week before the All-Star break.

Matz (shoulder) made the second start of his rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Memphis, striking out three over three innings while allowing one earned run on four hits and no walks.

EDGE Analysis

Pitching on three days' rest after making a two-inning rehab start for Memphis on Wednesday, Matz was capped at 45 pitches Saturday. He'll likely require at least one or two more outings in the minors to ramp up his pitch count before the Cardinals activate him from the 15-day injured list and reinstall him in the rotation.

Matz (shoulder) is slated to build up to 30 pitches in his rehab start Tuesday for Triple-A Memphis and will attempt to throw 45 pitches in a second rehab start this weekend, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Given this slow progression, Matz figures to need at least a third rehab start before he's ready to join the big-league rotation, unless the Cardinals opt to bring him back for what would amount to a bullpen game next week. He could return right before the All-Star break if all goes well.

Manager Oliver Marmol said that Matz (shoulder) will throw a "vigorous" bullpen Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matz threw a bullpen session last weekend, and he'll increase his intensity during Friday's throwing session. If all goes well, the southpaw is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday. Once he ultimately reports to the minors, Matz is expected to require multiple rehab starts prior to returning from the injured list.

Matz (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matz progressed to throwing from flat ground last week, and he's now advanced to pitching off a mound. He's still likely a few weeks away from a return -- he'll need additional bullpen sessions without setbacks before throwing live batting practice, and it's expected the southpaw will ultimately need multiple rehab starts. Matz's absence is now expected to stretch at least into mid-July.

Manager Oliver Marmol said that Matz recently received another injection Monday in his troublesome left shoulder, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He hasn't pitched since throwing four pitches against the Pirates on May 22 and MRIs have shown no structural damage. The fact that Matz has had multiple injections -- the first one came May 23 -- in his shoulder is not a great sign, but it sounds like the Cardinals and Matz are doing everything possible to try to get him past this issue. He threw off flat ground Sunday.

Matz (shoulder) threw off flat ground Sunday, Joe Harris of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matz, who recently hit a snag in his recovery from left shoulder inflammation, said Sunday marked his "best day" since being placed on the 15-day injured list May 23. The southpaw will need to graduate to mound work and resume facing hitters before the Cardinals send him out on a minor-league rehab assignment likely consisting of one or two starts.

Matz (shoulder) has yet to throw off of a mound, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matz was expected to throw side sessions Thursday and Sunday, but it appears those plans are now on hold after his setback. It was already determined the left-hander would need a rehab appearance, but he'll need to build back up a bit and begin a throwing program before that can happen. As such, Matz shouldn't be expected back until late June at the earliest.

Matz (shoulder) will require at least one rehab appearance prior to rejoining the Cardinals' rotation, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matz is scheduled to throw side sessions Thursday and Sunday, but he'll be forced to miss at least one more turn through the rotation since he'll make an appearance with a minor-league affiliate. The Cardinals haven't yet revealed who will step in as a starter next week, but manager Oliver Marmol listed Andre Pallante, Zack Thompson, Johan Oviedo, Packy Naughton and Jake Woodford as candidates for a spot start.