Lyons (knee) will be out 5-6 months after undergoing knee surgery on Tuesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lyons out for an extended period of time will leave the Cardinals stretched thin when it comes to lefties out of the bullpen, as Zack Duke (elbow) is also expected to miss most of 2017. Goold reports that the next southpaws behind Kevin Siegrist are Marco Gonzales and Tim Cooney, both of whom missed time in 2016 due to surgeries.

Lyons had surgery on his knee Tuesday and will miss more time as he recovers, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reports.

EDGE Analysis

It is unclear what specific type of knee surgery Lyons required, but he missed the final two months of the season with a stress reaction in his right knee, and it sounds like he aggravated the injury. He should be considered out indefinitely.

Lyons (knee) has been placed on the 60-day DL and will not return to the Cardinals for the regular season, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lyons had a successful season in the Cardinals bullpen, posting a 3.38 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 46 strikeouts in 48 innings. Depending on what the Cardinals do in the offseason, the 28-year-old could be used as a stater or reliever in 2017. Lyons is expected to be ready for spring training.

Lyons was placed on the 15-day DL after Tuesday's game with a stress reaction in his right knee, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

He apparently injured the knee while giving up two runs and recording just two outs on July 30, and it is unclear when he will be able to return. The Cardinals have not yet announced a corresponding move, although the lack of bullpen depth, or perhaps mismanagement of the bullpen by manager Mike Matheny, cost the Cardinals the game Tuesday agains the Reds.

Lyons will miss his scheduled start Sunday after throwing 4.2 innings in the Cardinals' 16 inning win Friday, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lyons had a good outing Friday, only allowing one hit and no runs. The downside is that he was unable to get a win or a quality start, but fantasy owners did get some solid value from the 28-year-old.

Lyons tossed a scoreless inning in relief Sunday in the Cards' loss to Arizona.

EDGE Analysis

Often used as a multi-inning option by manager Mike Matheny, Lyons has been damaged by the long ball this season on a regular basis as he's allowed six in just 20.2 innings. His peripherals have been good otherwise, as he's posted a 21:5 K:BB thus far, suggesting that he can be a valuable asset in the St. Louis bullpen if he can reduce his home-run rate.

Lyons has allowed two earned runs over 6.2 innings so far this season.

EDGE Analysis

While his ERA (2.70) and WHIP (1.05) are decent, after losing out on a rotation spot in spring training, Lyons needed a stellar early season performance to try to earn back a spot. If one of the Cardinals' starters were to get injured, Lyons would be on the short list of replacements.

Lyons will take the hill on Thursday in the Cardinals Grapefruit League Opener, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lyons is a long-shot to make the rotation out of spring training with Adam Wainwright, Michael Wacha, Carlos Martinez, Mike Leake and Jaime Garcia the likely candidates to fill the Cardinals rotation. There is always a possibility that injury or poor performance could alter that makeup, but it looks as though Lyons will head into 2016 as long-relief with the occasional spot start for the Cardinals.

Lyons, who is out of options, will be competing for a spot in the Cardinals bullpen this spring, MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports.

EDGE Analysis

He will build up as a starter this spring, but barring an injury, there is not a spot for him in the rotation. Even if a player like Carlos Martinez (shoulder) suffered a setback, Lyons might still find himself pitching out of the bullpen if Tim Cooney or Marco Gonzales is more impressive this spring.

Lyons (3-1) pitched the Cardinals to the NL Central title in the second half of Wednesday's doubleheader, shutting out the Pirates over seven sharp innings. He struck out four without a walk and allowed just four hits.

EDGE Analysis

After the Cards got their heads handed to them in the first half of the twin bill, Lyons absolutely dominated their division rivals in the later half en route to the series-clinching win. He's been coming out of the bullpen, but might end up having to make a postseason start for St. Louis, considering that Carlos Martinez (shoulder) is done for the season and Michael Wacha looks like he ought to be.