Lyons was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Friday and will start Saturday against the Royals, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. A forearm strain has sent Lance Lynn to the DL and created another opportunity for Lyons. The 27-year-old lefty struggled in three starts for St. Louis earlier this season (5.54 ERA), but he's been excellent in eight outings with Memphis, going 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA and 56:9 K:BB in 48.1 innings. GM John Mozeliak said he is hopeful Lynn can return soon after his 15 days are up, but it sounds like Lyons will get at least a couple turns in the rotation.

Lyons was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday. Lyons hadn't quite been what the Cardinals were looking for as a rotation option, as the 27-year-old never made it past the fifth inning and posted a 5.54 ERA over his first three starts. St. Louis does not have a scheduled day off next week, so it's unclear at the moment who will step into his rotation spot Thursday against the Mets.

Lyons lasted just 3.2 innings on Saturday, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five. He'll also go down in the history books as the pitcher who served up Miguel Cabrera's 400th career home run, but Lyons ended up with a no-decision in a game the Cards lost in 10 innings. He has yet to get past the fifth inning in any of his three starts, and may not get many more chances to prove he can be a reliable part of the St. Louis rotation, but for the moment his next turn is scheduled for Thursday, on the road against the Mets.

Lyons surrendered three runs (two earned) in a no-decision Sunday against Pittsburgh, allowing five hits and a walk while striking out five. Lyons will continue making spot starts until either Jaime Garcia or Marco Gonzales are ready to step into the fifth spot of the rotation.

Lyons failed to impress during the Cardinals win Tuesday over Chicago, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out seven across 4.1 innings. Lyons needed 96 pitches to record 13 outs. This should leave the door wide open for Marco Gonzales to stake his claim to the fifth spot in the rotation for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals will call up Lyons to start Tuesday against the Cubs. Lyons will take his shot at the slot in therotation vacated by Adam Wainwright's season-ending injury. The Cardinals could have used Carlos Villanueva as an option but then had to turn to him in Saturday's extra-inning game, so Lyons does not have a long leash.

Lyons could receive a spot start for the Cardinals on Thursday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports. Lyons and Tim Cooney are the two candidates to receive the start in place of Adam Wainwright (Achilles), who could have a season-ending injury. Marco Gonzales remains the top candidate as a long-term fill-in, but he's currently suffering from a shoulder injury of his own.

Lyons was optioned to Triple-A Memphis Tuesday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Lyons had been mentioned early in spring training as a long-shot for the fifth rotation spot, but three poor relief appearances all but ended that hope. Lyons will provide the Cardinals a versatile arm to possibly cover for any injuries they face during the season.

Lyons was recalled from Double-A Springfield on Tuesday. Lyons will make his return to the Cardinals with the September expansion of the rosters. He will likely serve out of the bullpen but could serve as a spot starter if needed.

Lyons was optioned to Double-A Springfield on Sunday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Lyons' demotion would seem odd on the surface after he sparkled in relief during Saturday's doubleheader with the Cubs, tossing 4.2 scoreless innings of one-hit ball and striking out eight batters. However, the move to Springfield is strictly procedural, as he'll be able to return to the Cardinals on Tuesday, after the Double-A season draws to a close. Once Lyons returns to the Cardinals, it will be interesting to see in what capacity the team opts to use him. With Justin Masterson struggling mightily (2-3, 7.90 ERA, 1.64 WHIP over six starts) since he was acquired from the Indians, he could soon be dropped from the rotation in favor of Lyons or rookie Marco Gonzales.