St. Louis Cardinals’ experienced starting pitcher Lance Lynn is making significant progress in his recovery from a knee injury that forced him out of action on July 30. Lynn has been actively participating in live batting practice sessions to regain his form, and the Cardinals’ manager, Oliver Marmol, has indicated that Lynn’s overall condition is quite promising. Looking forward, the team is considering implementing a six-man rotation upon Lynn’s return to accommodate his comeback and optimize the pitching staff’s performance.
Lance Lynn Possible Solution for Six-Man Rotation
The right-handed starter threw a live bullpen session on August 20 at Busch Stadium. Lynn threw 45 pitches to teammates Matt Carpenter and Tommy Pham in addition to former teammate and current Cardinals bench coach Daniel Descalso.
“I thought it was good,” Marmol told MLB.com reporter John Denton. “He threw three [simulated innings] and he was trying to get to 45-ish [pitches]. He was able to increase the intensity in a way where he felt good about it and was pain-free.”
Lynn is projected to throw about 60 pitches in another bullpen session on August 26. After that, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak expects him to enter a rehab assignment in the minor leagues.
“I do think he’ll be going out for a rehab here in the next week or so,” Mozeliak told KMOX radio on August 18. “So, looking to get him back probably toward the end of this month or first part of September.”
What Lynn’s Return Would Mean for the Rotation
The Cardinal’s starters have an ERA of 4.50 this season, good for 23rd in the eague. Left-handed starter Steven Matz has missed most of the season with a back injury. The team attempted to bolster the rotation at the trade deadline by acquiring Erick Fedde from the Chicago White Sox.
The team has turned to lefty Andre Pallante as a starter after Matz’s injury. Pallante spent most of his career as a reliever but has performed well in the rotation. As a starter, Pallante is 5-5 in 13 games with a 3.75 ERA. Most recently, Pallante pitched seven innings giving up just two runs in a 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 17.
“He’s done an incredible job,” Marmol told KMOX Radio the next day. “We’re continuing to see him build off of each outing, get better with each outing how he’s using his stuff, locating that sinker. And the confidence man. A big part of this game is having confidence and believing in yourself and having others believe in you.”
Mozeliak told Denton that the team could entertain a six-man rotation when Lynn returns from injury.
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