Veteran lefty Steven Matz has missed most of the 2024 season due to back issues, including a setback in his rehab back in June as he was building up his pitch toward a return to the big leagues. Fortunately for the Cardinals, however, it appears the southpaw is once again nearing a return.
As noted by MLB.com’s John Denton, manager Oli Marmol told reporters yesterday afternoon that Matz, who had pitched four scoreless frames on 76 pitches the night prior, was nearing a return to the big leagues. Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch added that the Cardinals currently plan to have Matz return to St. Louis to be evaluated by the team’s medical staff before they decide whether or not he should return to the big league staff immediately, though (per Denton) Marmol indicated that the veteran is likely to make one more rehab start before returning to the majors.
The 33-year-old could provide some relief for a rotation that has struggled somewhat this season, with only Sonny Gray providing consistently above-average performances. Gray has posted decent results with excellent peripherals as the club’s top starter, with a 3.93 ERA (109 ERA+) and a 3.14 FIP in 22 starts this year. Andre Pallante has been another bright spot, impressing in 13 starts this year with a 3.75 ERA and nearly-matching 3.76 FIP since entering a rotation role in late May despite a lackluster 18.8% strikeout rate in those contests.
Looking beyond that duo, however, the results have left much to be desired. Miles Mikolas has posted a 5.41 ERA that’s 21% worse than league average by ERA+ and is the worst figure he’s posted in a season since returning to stateside ball in 2018 following a stint in Japan, while Lance Lynn had struggled to a 4.78 ERA with a 4.66 FIP in his last ten starts before going on the injured list with right knee inflammation at the end of July. St. Louis had spent much of this season leaning on Kyle Gibson for back-of-the-rotation consistency and attempted to fortify their rotation by adding Erick Fedde at the trade deadline, but the pair have posted ERAs of 6.11 and 5.63 respectively since the calendar flipped to August.
Of course, Matz is hardly a sure bet to provide quality innings out of the rotation himself. The lefty’s Cardinals tenure has been a bumpy one, as he posted a 5.25 ERA in 48 innings during his first season with the club and followed that up with a 5.72 ERA in his first ten starts last year. Those struggles ultimately left him demoted to the bullpen last summer, though he managed to pitch his way back into a rotation role down the stretch and posted excellent numbers (a 1.84 ERA and a 31.2% strikeout rate) in seven starts after being reinstated as a starter. That strong finish last year left plenty of reason for optimism regarding Matz entering this year, but in six starts before being sidelined back in May he struggled badly with a 6.18 ERA.
While some of those difficulties can surely be attributed to the small sample size and an inflated .362 BABIP posted by Matz’s opponents this year, that Matz struck out just 13.7% of batters prior to going on the shelf is cause for at least some concern. If Matz looks good upon his return, it’s easy to imagine him sticking in the club’s rotation mix for the rest of the season, although it’s also possible he’ll find himself back in the bullpen at some point.
Lynn’s impending return, which could potentially come even more quickly than that of Matz, also figures to play a role in the Cardinals’ rotation decisions. The veteran right-hander has been sidelined for nearly three weeks by knee inflammation but is slowly approaching a return to action, with Marmol telling reporters (including Worthy) that Matz is expected to throw a live bullpen session early this week. That’s a notable step forward for the 37-year-old, particularly because Marmol left the door open (as noted by MLB.com’s Injury Tracker) for the righty to return to action later in the week without a rehab assignment if his upcoming session goes well.
With both Lynn and Matz seemingly nearing returns to action, the Cardinals figure to have an excess of rotation options from which they can decide how best to line up for the stretch run as they look to push their way back into postseason contention after going just 4-10 so far in the month of August. In addition to the pitching reinforcements the club expects to get, Denton notes that the club’s run prevention apparatus could be getting a lift in center field in the near future as standout defender Michael Siani has already resumed swinging a bat after being sidelined by an oblique strain just two weeks ago. Siani recently received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his abdomen to aid his return to action, which could come before the end of the month if he continues to progress quickly.
Gray has not been good in July and August. He’s given up 28 ER in 42 IP. Pallante has been the best starter but he’s been pretty average in July and August. Pallante has been better than I expected of him. It seems like the old starters are running out of gas as the year wears on.
Gray did his job today against an outstanding offensive. The Cardinals offense did not do their job.
There is a lot of good young pitching talent at AA and AAA. I dont think the team gets enough credit for that. The problem is the team doesn’t want to give young pitchers a legit chance and it doesn’t set them up for success. I really hope Lynn and Gibson are both gone in the offseason. Then Fedde, Mikolas and Matz are all free agents after 2025. It’s time to let the young guys play.
I don’t mind the losing if the young guys are getting viable reps at the big league level in order to see what they got but there are guys thats job are on the hot seat and there playing to win so they don’t get fired we are not post season so I hope heads will roll but I doubt it .
May be time for Mikolas to make a return trip to Japan to find whatever magic has worn off in the past 2 years. STL really needs to move on from the veteran pitchers on expiring contracts. These guys are gassed, and the numbers prove it.
I like your take.
I agree that the older pitchers are wearing down as the year goes on. The fact that we have an IDIOT for a manager does not help, when he decides to pitch Miles against the Dodgers , when 6 of the nine players are hitting above 400 against him does not make sense, the rotation should have been adjusted, this is just another example that Marmol has NO business being manager
They aren’t gonna switch up their whole rotation based on one matchup, are you insane?
Pitchers miss starts frequently, so no , I’m not insane, wins are at a premium
No teams do not do that all the time, in fact almost never. Are you living in an alternate reality?
Nobody cares who you mute, Mickey. In fact, seeing as you never have anything good to say… you’re muted.
Mickey is that copy pasta guys burner account who is on like his eleventh account or something
Did you watch the game? Mikolas had his best outing of the year and is not the reason we lost that game.
This is what you get when you put together a rotation of one solid guy (Gray) and a bunch of innings-eaters. I do think Pallante is better than any of the other guys and deserves to stay in the rotation. Still, it’s not a playoff rotation.
It’s not a playoff team, so they won’t need a playoff rotation.
I call them Sonny Gray and the losers
If things don’t improve soon, I’d put Mikolas,Gibson and Lynn on IL with injuries(arm fatigue) or DFA them. Let Matz go and see what happens. Bring up Graceffo and McGreevy and put in rotation. Zach Thompson has pitched better lately. He’s another option. Really don’t have anything to lose and gotta see what you have in these young me
Today’s probably the key game. If you can win the series agains the dodgers (knowing you played great even in the loss on friday), that gives you some momentum.
Love your fan enthusiasm!
I looked at their schedule till the end of the season. Then considered the fact they have to get past 3 quality teams
to get a WC spot.
Difficult.
Weird thing about this team is that they beat good teams and lose to bad teams. It’s a hell of a stretch for them at this point though.
I agree Mike56 , see what you have in your young guys , cause there is no playoffs the season is lost . I hope heads will roll . It’s been since 1956/1957 since we have had back to back losing seasons . Just shows how bad of President of baseball operations and the manager really is .
Mozeliak has backed himself into a corner he use to pride himself on NOT doing; and that’s maintaining financial flexibility while making savvy,conscientious roster acquisitions.
Anyone can point at the obviously poor decisions like Arozerena, Garcia, etc. however, I’m going to lay that to the side for now. Goldscmidt and Arenado have been good cornerstones, albeit age catching up with them.
The issue is all the bad money that has poisoned the roster for a decade. Mike Leake, Dexter Fowler, Carlos Martinez, Matt Carpenter, Miles Mikolas, Steven Matz as an example.
On top of that, the farm system isn’t scouting or coaching these guys properly, or they’re overvalued from go.
Former Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers was asked a year ago why he stepped down from the job and (at the time) Klay Thompson’s free agency. He said frankly “I didn’t want to be the guy to make that decision.”
The same applies for Mozeliak. He’s become afraid to make the necessary moves. You can’t run a team on fear. It’s time to reevaluate what’s happening, because this is not the “Cardinal Way.”
“an excess of rotation options”
Few of which are actually good options.
The article did mention the struggles.
Yes, but that phrasing still was overly optimistic.
Not if you read the full article.
I did read the full article.
“an excess of *middling* rotation options”
That would be more accurate. The phrasing implies the options are good ones, or perhaps I inferred it.
My apologies for disturbing your day with my pessimistic post about their pitchers.
Where’s your optimism gbs? Being negative is my job.
Don,
The last couple of weeks have been deflating, and the rotation “reinforcements” look to be anything but.
BTW, love your Ozzie profile pic. My all-time favorite player.
Your apology should have been that you did not comprehend what was written in the article. I fully expect a snarky weakling will now mute me for pointing out that your original comment was not necessary and it made you look like a buffoon. Rather than make an excuse you should delete your unhelpful comment.
Wow, “snarky weakling” and “buffoon.” Someone’s getting pretty aggro over a question of degree.
Rather than being an indignant irritant, you should delete your unhelpful account.
Come on TheStevilEmpire1;
Most of what was left of “The Cardinal Way” left when Jeff Luhnow went to Houston to rebuild the Astros and took Mike Elias and Sig Mejdal with him. They believed in prioritizing pitching and defense when putting teams together, and were in line with the manager and coaches in demanding the team play fundamental baseball – e.g. Branch Rickey baseball.
Mike Shildt was fighting the FO for a few years to play that brand of baseball. The FO got fed up with him and brought in their puppet to manage the way they want the Cardinals to play baseball….e.g. cut corners, do what feels good, play sloppy baseball.
Mr. Shildt has the Padres playing very good baseball. They should make the playoffs this year, and seem to be better than the Dodgers although the DBacks play strong team baseball.
Shildt deserved to be fired after putting Reyes in that playoff game against the dodgers. Waino outlasted Scherzer and we were in great shape on the road. Everyone knew how that game was going to end when Reyes was brought in.
This is dead on. Mike Shildt is the walking, talking proof that Mo needs to go.
Carlson and O’Neill thrived under Shildt. O’Neill is thriving again and so is Carlson in a small 39 AB sample size in Tampa. The Cardinals were forced to give those players away. The coaching has to take the blame for all of the players underperforming at some point if Carlson continues to thrive in Tampa. Let’s not forget how many good coaches walked away prior to the 2023 season.
I find myself watching these games not caring if they win or lose. The plus side of losing is where that one day closer to getting rid of dusty rusty and Ollie Molly.
The Cardinals need to do exactly what the Angels did last season and put all the veterans on the roster on waivers. If someone claims them, great. If not, oh well. It’s not about the money. It’s about clearing space on the roster and finally fully embracing the rebuild. There are several players at AAA who are worth taking a look at. There is no way the front office can approach the off-season without a better understanding of what we have.
Ollie and the coaching staff should be fired by next weekend so we can get a jump on hiring his replacement. I expect Mo to step down at season’s end.
There is no path forward with the status quo.
I would like to see them do it and hope they get rid of some older players and money
You make a lot of sense, as usual!
I am not blaming either but if they need to get a manager and coaches how can work for young pleyers
Promote the AAA coaches. They have done a solid job developing players at the minor league level.
Who would you like to be manager
Long term or for the rest of the season? Yadi or Skip Schumacher.
Jon Jay as the hitting coach.
Chris Carpenter as pitching coach.
Tony Pena as bench coach.
That’s good skip would be ok Molina may not want it
Yadi won’t touch it as long as Mo is there. I assume Chaim Bloom is next in line. He seemed comfortable working with a powerful dugout presence in Alex Cora. He might be comfortable working with Yadi.
For what it’s worth, I don’t think Skip Schumacher has any intention of being a puppet. He cut his teeth under Tony La Russa. I think he plans to be a pretty assertive manager. So I don’t think either of these guys are possibilities unless Mo steps down.
@Samuel,
In no way am I disagreeing with your take, it only adds depth to what I presented. Since 2011, there’s been a few moves in particular that cracked the culture of the team.
Who would have thought that signing a bunch of 35 year pitchers near the end of their careers would be a bad idea?
Pitching has not been the problem this year.
Not everyone. You front office tried it out!
I would like to get matz miles traded then let Gibson and Lynn go. I would like them to get a true number one. And get rid of Goldy and get RBI producer
Does Goldie have a big contract for next year.Iif so, hard to unload him.
No but they are talking about an extension for him.
The cardinals took a chance on hiring a bunch of over the Hill crowd. I acknowledge most of them being aa good or ham and Egger Plus career rating. Unfortunately, they have under produced. Unlike The Brewers who have greatly overachieved. Time to get some young talent up and give the brome to two or three of your starters. Do the owe Matz anything beyond this year? If not give him the DFA,. When does Your manager get replaced with Molina? Inquiring Superfans want to Know! Thank you for the rant!
The old guys kept us close till the trade deadline, its a shame more was not done at the deadline. MO and his Muppet Marmol need to go. I never heard why we Molina never showed up.
We do not have a hitting coach or pitching coach , we have a couple statistics guys , who are Idiots like MO and Marmol
Its time to clean house in the Cardinal ranks, fire MO and Marmol along with DA-usty and Ward, They have nothing to offer the club.
I’m not gonna lie, I honestly forgot this guy was on the team.
Uhh, WHAT “push their way back into postseason contention”? Thanks for the laugh/cry.