Lyons (knee) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Lyons will take the roster spot of Jhonny Peralta, who was sent to the 10-day disabled list with an upper respiratory illness. He looked sharp in his three rehab appearances with Triple-A Memphis, allowing just two runs while striking out 14 batters through 14 innings. He'll rejoin the Cardinals and serve as an important piece of their bullpen.

Lyons (knee), who's yet to allow a run over 9.1 innings across two rehab starts for Triple-A Memphis, is expected to be a major component of the bullpen when he returns to the big-league roster, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old has a maximum of 30 days to spend on his rehab assignment and his progress thus far has been impressive. In a 2-1 victory over Colorado Springs on Wednesday, Lyons got through six frames in just 64 pitches, 45 of which he threw for strikes. His impressive repertoire, which features a nasty slider and sharp curve, project him as a valued lefty option out of the bullpen for manager Mike Matheny, as well as a spot starter in a pinch. The one dilemma soon to confront the Cardinals are the sheer numbers in their relief corps, as the bullpen has actually been one of the few positive developments in the rocky start to the season. Both Lyons and fellow reliever Miguel Socolovich -- who's generated a 1.80 ERA over three appearances -- are out of minor-league options, meaning either would have to pass through waivers to be officially assigned to Triple-A Memphis, a risk the team would rather not take. Lyons is scheduled to make at least 2-3 more rehab starts with the Redbirds before that decision comes due.

Lyons (knee) will start Friday night's game for Triple-A Memphis against the New Orleans Baby Cakes, the first of what are expected to be multiple rehab outings, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "It's a big deal for Tyler to have a sharp break on his slider and curveball, so he's going to need that time to get things right," manager Mike Matheny said. "We're dealing with an injury we're not that familiar with. In his mind, he's done with the knee. But we still want to watch at game speed."

EDGE Analysis

Lyons, who underwent a microfracture procedure in the offseason, will have a maximum of 30 days on his rehab assignment to build his endurance back up before either returning to the Cardinals' active roster or passing through waivers. The 29-year-old could serve as either a spot starter or long reliever if he's able to return, and he reports feeling increasingly "closer and closer" to a full return with the more work he gets. Lyons did get some Grapefruit League action in, generating a 6.00 ERA over three innings across two appearances.

Lyons (knee) will begin the season on the 10-day disabled list, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Confirming an earlier report, Lyons is still making his way back from a knee injury and will open the season on the 10-day DL. He was a key component of the Cardinals' bullpen in 2016, posting a 3.38 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 46:14 K:BB over 30 appearances. When the 29-year-old is healthy enough to return, he should slot into a long reliever role.

Lyons (knee) will open the season on the disabled list, MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports.

EDGE Analysis

He is in the process of working his way back from knee surgery and won't be ready by the time Opening Day arrives. The team has not yet finalized where he will begin his rehab work. He is poised to work as a long reliever once healthy.

Lyons (knee) made his spring debut in Sundays' Grapefruit League victory over the Braves, giving up two earned runs on two hits and one walk. He also recorded a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The good news was that the 29-year-old reliever made it back into game action well ahead of Opening Day. However, he struggled his first time out, struggling with his command. Lyons issued a free pass to Freddie Freeman to start things off before allowing Matt Kemp and Jace Peterson to smack two-baggers, and Nick Markakis to drive in a run on a groundout. Lyons is working back from offseason knee surgery and was an important component of the Cardinals bullpen in 2016, generating a 3.38 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 46:14 K:BB over 30 appearances.

Lyons (knee) threw his second live batting practice session of the week Thursday as he continues to rehab from offseason right knee surgery, MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lyons underwent surgery in November, but still does not have full mobility in his knee. The Cardinals are unsure if the 28-year-old will see Grapefruit League action, but will continue to closely monitor him. The left-hander has proved himself a serviceable member of St. Louis' bullpen, with a 2.69 ERA in 50 career appearances in that role, but has not pitched since July 30.

Lyons (knee) threw to hitters this week for the first time since his offseason surgery, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's another incremental step in the recovery process for Lyons, who has been slowly battling back from the offseason procedure. The left-hander has been steadily increasing his pitching activities this spring and could potentially make his Grapefruit League debut within the coming weeks. Lyons, who posted a 3.38 ERA and a 46:14 K:BB ratio last season, is expected to serve a key role in the Cardinal bullpen upon his return.

Lyons continued his rapid progress from November knee surgery by playing low-intensity catch twice this week, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports. "I'm definitely happy with where we're at," Lyons said. "I feel like every day stuff gets a little easier. Barring anything unforeseen, I'll keep progressing here on the mound."

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old southpaw, who last pitched on July 30 against the Marlins, appears to be firmly on track to seeing some live Grapefruit League action in March. Lyons had added more leg exercises to his workouts in recent days before taking the mound for the first time Wednesday, and he appears set to potentially ramp things up another notch next week. He projects to serve as a valuable lefty presence out of the bullpen, a role that he's enjoyed success in thus far in his career (2.69 ERA over 50 appearances).

Lyons (knee) will be limited during the start of spring training, but could progress to mound work in about two weeks, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lyons, who was given a projected timetable of five-to-six months after undergoing knee surgery in early November, looks as though he's nearing the finish line of his recovery progress, but he'll still behind the Cardinals' other healthy pitchers when camp begins next week. He's been able to do some aggressive running and cutting and seems to be regaining mobility, so there's still a chance that he might be able to avoid the 15-day DL to begin the 2017 season. Lyons is expected to vie for a long-relief role once he's back to full strength.