Lyons (elbow) was credited with a hold in Triple-A Memphis' win over Omaha on Friday, firing a scoreless eighth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Lyons ultimately threw a total of 13 pitches, a good first test for his recovering elbow. The southpaw will mark a calendar month on the disabled list Sunday, and it appears likely he'll log at least one more rehab appearance at the minor-league level after such an extended absence.

Lyons (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Saturday and will embark on a rehab assignment next week, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's been a positive week for Lyons, who also extended his throwing distance out to 90 feet last Monday. Assuming all goes well with Saturday's session, the southpaw should be back in game action in a rehab capacity at some point next week.

The Cardinals placed Lyons on the 10-day disabled list Friday with a left elbow sprain.

EDGE Analysis

Lyons has made only one appearance since the start of June, tossing a scoreless inning against the Marlins on Tuesday. The severity of the injury is unclear at this point, but the diagnosis of a sprain makes it seem unlikely the 30-year-old will be able to return when eligible June 16.

Lyons (back) grabbed his eighth hold in a win over the Pirates on Saturday, allowing a hit and recording a strikeout over one-third of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

The right-handed reliever threw 10 pitches after being activated from the disabled list earlier in the day. Lyons has now generated scoreless appearances in six of his last seven trips to the mound, a stretch in which he's also notched a win and recorded a pair of holds.

Lyons (back) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Lyons is back with the Cardinals after missing the past two weeks with a mid-back strain. The 30-year-old compiled a mediocre 6.17 ERA and 1.63 WHIP across 11.2 innings prior to landing on the shelf, so he may need to prove himself again before being trusted in a high-leverage role. Greg Holland (hip) was sent to the disabled list in a corresponding roster move.

Lyons (backs) was expected to return from the disabled list for Friday's game against the Pirates, but may not be activated until after the game, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The delay would be procedural move more than anything, as it would allow the team to make a roster move after John Gant's spot start Friday. Regardless, Lyons has already rejoined the team in Pittsburgh and should be reinstated to the 25-man roster in the next few days.

Lyons (back) will be activated from the disabled list prior to Friday's series opener against the Pirates, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

While the results weren't great -- two runs on two hits across 0.2 innings -- Lyons came through his most recent rehab appearance with no issues, clearing the way for him to rejoin the big-league bullpen. The 30-year-old struggled to a 6.17 ERA and 1.63 WHIP across 11.2 innings prior to landing on the disabled list, so he may need to prove his health before he's inserted back into a high-leverage role.

Lyons (back) allowed two earned runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning in Double-A Springfield's win over Northwest Arkansas on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

It was Lyons' second and presumably final rehab outing. He wasn't nearly as successful as in a Saturday appearance in which he got through his sole frame in just six pitches, but the most important aspect may have been that he was able to work up to 19 pitches without any apparent physical setbacks.

Lyons (back), who earned a save for Double-A Springfield on Saturday by firing just six pitches over a scoreless inning, is slated to pitch again Monday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Lyons' workload being so limited Saturday, he's slated to take the hill again Monday in order to get further prep work in before a return to the big-league club. The southpaw is expected to be activated if there are no setbacks, and given the late-inning struggles of veteran Greg Holland, Lyons could certainly be afforded a consistent workload upon return. "Health-wise I feel good," Lyons said. "I just want to get out and pitch again, be in a competitive mode and not just throwing bullpens. For me, that's all I wanted to get out of it, because I feel much better physically."

Lyons (back) could embark on a short rehab assignment this weekend, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lyons was placed on the disabled list due to a mid-back strain following his appearance against the Twins on May 8. It's expected that the left-hander will only need to pitch in one or two games with one of the Cardinals' affiliates, so expect him back early next week if he's able to start an assignment this weekend.