Steven

Matz

Gray will join Lance Lynn in finishing the season on the IL for the Cardinals, which will probably lead to an extra start for Steven Matz. Gray ends the year 13-9 with a 3.84 ERA. He struck out 200 batters for the second time in his career, finishing with a 203/39 K/BB in 166 1/3 innings.

This was how the rotation was initially set up, but Lance Lynn was angling to come back on Sunday for the home finale. Now that Lynn is on the IL, Pallante is the confirmed starter. Steven Matz could get a start next week in Lynn’s place.

That means Sonny Gray will get an extra day off next week, and Erick Fedde will face the Blue Jays on Friday instead of the Reds on Thursday. Steven Matz will go to the bullpen to make room and could pitch in relief as soon as Sunday. Lynn has been out since the end of July with knee inflammation.

Matz was making his first start since April 30, and all things considered it went relatively well. The southpaw gave up homers to Jackson Chourio and Joey Ortiz, but allowed just one other hit with three walks and seven strikeouts. The Brewers are a tough nut to crack right now, and the 33-year-old did show some swing-and-miss stuff. The question now is when Matz pitches again, as the Cardinals haven’t lined up their rotation just yet.

Matz was just activated off the 60-day injured list Sunday, and the Cardinals will have the 33-year-old go while giving extra rest to their starts. With Matz getting the ball Tuesday, Sonny Gray will start Wednesday, and Erick Fedde will now get the ball Friday against the Mariners. Streaming Matz against a Milwaukee team that has performed well is probably a mistake in process.

Matz returns after missing the overwhelming majority of the season due to his back issues. The southpaw will be a multi-inning option for the Cardinals, and could make starts before the season comes to a conclusion.

Matz wrapped up a minor league rehab assignment earlier this week and will rejoin St. Louis’ pitching mix when roster expand later this weekend. The 33-year-old lefty hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since April 30 due to injury.

Matz has wrapped up a minor league rehab assignment and figures to be activated once rosters expand on Sunday. The 33-year-old left-hander could wind up pitching in relief for the Cardinals or slot into their starting rotation early next week. Regardless of his role, he’s unlikely to make an impact for fantasy managers.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak hinted to reporters the possibility of moving to a six-man rotation once Matz is ready to return. The 33-year-old lefty is expected to get his pitch count up to roughly 90 in his likely final rehab outing. He’s been out since late April due to a back issue and a couple setbacks.

Matz’s velocity was fine, but he got no strikeouts and just one missed swing on the 50 pitches he threw. The Cardinals probably aren’t going to be in any hurry to put him back on the roster.