Matz (back) is traveling with the Cardinals on the road trip starting Friday and is expected to be activated from the injured list during the weekend, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

If activated as expected, it seems Matz will be added as the extra pitcher when rosters are expanded Sunday. The southpaw completed his sixth rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Memphis in which he gave up two eared on five hits over three innings. It still remains to be seen or reported if he will return as a starter in the rotation or long reliever. A factor that may play a part in that decision is JoJo Romero's health, who was reported as a bit more sore than his usual.

Matz (back) struck out three batters and gave up four runs (two earned) on five hits and no walks over three innings in his rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Memphis.

EDGE Analysis

Matz tossed 64 pitches (45 strikes) in his sixth rehab start, with the Cardinals deliberating scaling back his workload Tuesday after he tossed 85 pitches and five innings his last time out for the Triple-A club Aug. 21. Though Matz is expected to return from the 60-day injured list to make his next appearance with the Cardinals, a decision hasn't been made whether he'll slot into the rotation or serve as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen. Per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, the Cardinals have already confirmed their starting pitchers through Sunday, so if Matz does in fact rejoin the rotation, he won't take the hill until at least Monday's series opener in Milwaukee.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Matz (back) will have his pitch count scaled back to 65 in Tuesday's rehab start with Triple-A Memphis, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

That's after he threw 85 pitches in his last outing with Memphis. The idea behind reducing Matz's workload is to keep him flexible for a variety of roles when he rejoins the Cardinals, as it sounds like he could be used as a starter or a reliever or both. Tuesday's rehab appearance is expected to be the final one before Matz is activated from the 60-day injured list. He's been out since late April due to a herniated disc in his back.

Matz (back) will make another rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Memphis, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The upcoming start is expected to be the sixth and final outing of Matz's rehab assignment before he returns from the 60-day injured list. According to manager Oliver Marmol, the Cardinals are targeting Matz for around 90 pitches Tuesday, which suggests the left-hander remains in consideration to rejoin the rotation as soon as Sunday against the Yankees. Though St. Louis might expand its rotation to six men in September, Matz could still wind up heading to the bullpen at some point if the Cardinals elect to keep Andre Pallante in a starting role. Even in a six-man setup, the Cardinals would have just two spots available for Matz, Pallante and Lance Lynn (knee), the latter of whom looks set to return from the IL in the next couple of weeks, per Katie Woo of The Athletic.

Matz (back) is expected to make one more minor-league rehab start prior to being activated from the 60-day injured list, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

On Wednesday, Matz made his third rehab start for Triple-A Memphis, striking out three batters in five innings and giving up four earned runs on nine hits and one walk while pushing his pitch count up to 85. Though Matz looks to be fully stretched out at this point, the Cardinals may want to see a sharper outing from the lefty before bringing him back from the IL. According to John Denton of MLB.com, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak previously floated the idea of the team using a six-man rotation down the stretch, though Matz could still find himself as the odd man out for a starting role once he's activated. Lance Lynn (knee) looks to be tracking toward a return from the IL around the same time as Matz, and current fifth starter Andre Pallante (3.81 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in five starts since the All-Star break) may be pitching well enough to keep his spot in the rotation.

Matz (back) is scheduled to throw about 90 pitches in his rehab start with Tripel-A Memphis on Wednesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matz has a 1.38 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB across 13 frames in his four previous rehab outings, and Wednesday's start is likely to be his last before being reinstated from the injured list. The left-hander will be fully stretched out as a starter, though his official role upon being activated has yet to be determined. Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak indicated the club could move to the six-man roster with Lance Lynn (knee) also on the cusp of returning from the injured list.

Matz (back) will require one more minor-league rehab start before being activated from the 60-day injured list.

EDGE Analysis

Matz struck out six in 4.1 scoreless innings during a rehab outing with Triple-A Memphis on Friday, but hasn't been deemed ready to return. Despite being on the shelf since May 3, Matz shouldn't have any restrictions once activated from the injured list considering he threw 76 pitches Friday. Following the trade deadline acquisition of Erick Fedde, it's unclear who'll be the odd man out in the St. Louis rotation once Matz is healthy.

Manager Oli Marmol told reporters Monday that Matz did not feel any back pain following his rehab outing with Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matz came away with the no decision Sunday after allowing one run on two hits while striking out three across four frames. His next rehab appearance will take place Friday, and the plan is for the 33-year-old southpaw to toss five innings and approximately 75-to-80 pitches. Matz has not pitched for the Cardinals since late April due to a herniated disc in his back, though he could be on his way back to the big club if he comes out of Friday's outing unscathed.

Matz (back) threw two innings, allowing one run on one hit while striking out two with no walks in a rehab outing with Triple-A Memphis on Thursday, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matz's outing met the team's expectations in terms of both number of pitches and innings. Assuming he avoids any setbacks, he should be in line for a few more rehab outings before being activated from the injured list and likely to rejoin the rotation.

Matz (back) will begin a rehab assignment Thursday and is expected to throw about 30 pitches over two innings, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander is hoping to return from the injured list sometime in August, and beginning a rehab assignment at the start of the month should give him a chance to make that happen. Matz has been sidelined since late April and will likely need a least a few rehab starts before rejoining the Cardinals.