Gray (7-3) took the loss Saturday versus the Phillies, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out 10 over five innings.
Gray reached double-digit strikeouts for the second time in 10 starts this year, but he received little run support after a shaky first inning. The right-hander has allowed at least four runs in three of his last five outings. For the season, he's at a 3.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 77:15 K:BB over 57 innings. Gray is projected to make his next start at home versus the Rockies.
Cardinals' Keynan Middleton: Seeking second opinion
Rotowire
Middleton (forearm) will get a second opinion from a specialist Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Middleton underwent an MRI on Friday after being checked out by team doctors and it appears he may be dealing with a significant injury to his throwing arm. Season-ending surgery has yet to be ruled out, though even if he avoids surgery, Middleton could have to start over after being close to returning from the 15-day IL just days before reporting the injury. Regardless, there should be more clarity regarding Middleton's status in the coming days.
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Cardinals' Steven Matz: Could start rehab stint this week
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Matz (back) will throw a full-intensity bullpen Monday and could get sent on a minor-league rehab assignment if the bullpen session goes well, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Monday's bullpen session will be Matz's third since he hit the IL with a back injury. The southpaw has missed a full month of action and would likely need a couple of rehab starts before returning to the Cardinals' active roster. In the meantime, Andre Pallante is set to fill Matz's spot in the rotation.
Donovan (neck) isn't in the Cardinals' lineup Saturday against Philadelphia.
Neck stiffness caused Donovan to be scratched from St. Louis' lineup before Friday's contest, and the issue seems to still be bothering him Saturday. Alec Burleson, Mike Siani and Dylan Carlson will start across the outfield while Donovan sits, allowing Jose Fermin to serve as the designated hitter.
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Cardinals' Brandon Crawford: Slugs homer Friday
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Crawford went 2-for-2 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Phillies.
Crawford hadn't played since May 19, but he got the start at shortstop to give Masyn Winn a breather Friday. The homer was Crawford's first extra-base hit of the campaign, though he's logged just 37 plate appearances over 12 contests through the end of May. The 37-year-old shortstop is firmly in a bench role without enough playing time to make an impact in most fantasy formats.
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Cardinals' Nolan Arenado: Goes deep again
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Arenado went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Phillies.
Arenado has homered in each of his last two games. The third baseman's power numbers are still way down -- he's at five homers and a .379 slugging percentage through 53 contests -- but his recent stretch could be a sign of him heating up. On the year, he's batting .257 with 26 RBI, 22 runs scored, 10 doubles and no stolen bases over 226 plate appearances. Not counting the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Arenado hasn't hit less than 26 home runs since 2014, but he needs to get going to hit that mark this season.
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Cardinals' Miles Mikolas: Sharp despite sixth loss
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Mikolas (3-6) took the loss Friday against the Phillies, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out five.
All three of the runs against Mikolas came in the second inning, including a pair on an Edmundo Sosa homer. While Mikolas would blank the Phillies over his final four frames, St. Louis could only muster a pair of runs off Aaron Nola in an eventual 4-2 loss. The 35-year-old Mikolas has started to turn things around after a rough start to the year, delivering quality starts in three of his last four outings. He's lowered his ERA to 5.54 with a 1.32 WHIP and 50:14 K:BB across 65 innings this year. Mikolas is currently lined up for a road matchup with the Astros in his next start.
Carlson is starting in right field and batting eighth for Friday's game against the Phillies.
Carlson was originally set to sit Friday, but he was inserted into the lineup after Brendan Donovan was scratched due to neck stiffness. Carlson is hitting .139/.244/.139 since being activated off the injured list due to a left shoulder sprain May 5.
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Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Late scratch Friday
Rotowire
Donovan, who was set to start in left field and bat in the leadoff spot Friday against the Phillies, was scratched from the Cardinals' lineup due to neck stiffness, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Dylan Carlson will enter the lineup and start in right field, while Alec Burleson shifts to left field and Matt Carpenter moves up to the leadoff spot, per John Denton of MLB.com.
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Cardinals' Andre Pallante: Rewarded with another start
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Manager Oli Marmol confirmed Friday that Pallante will be the Cardinals' starting pitcher Tuesday against Houston,John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Pallante fired six scoreless frames Wednesday against the Reds, a start impressive enough to warrant another turn in the rotation. He'll face an Astros lineup that's been significantly more productive than Cincinnati's, but Pallante should warrant some streaming appeal after his strong starting debut.
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Cardinals' Riley O'Brien: Throwing off mound
Rotowire
O'Brien (forearm) is slated to throw another bullpen session Sunday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
It's the second time he's thrown from the bump since he went down with a right flexor strain back in late March. O'Brien should be ready for a rehab assignment soon if he continues to progress.
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Cardinals' Steven Matz: Throwing off mound again
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Matz (back) will throw another bullpen session Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Matz threw a light bullpen session Wednesday, which evidently went well. It's not clear whether he'll throw with more intensity Friday, but it would appear he's taking baby steps in the right direction. Andre Pallante is currently filling in for Matz as the Cardinals' fifth starter.
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Cardinals' Tommy Edman: Taking BP from left side
Rotowire
Edman (wrist) has been cleared to take batting practice from the left side of the plate, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
It's the first time the switch hitter has taken BP from the left side since he experienced complications in his recovery from right wrist surgery. While the step is an important one, Edman does not appear close to beginning a rehab assignment just yet.
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Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar: Facing long-term absence
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Manager Oli Marmol said Friday that Nootbar (oblique) is expected to miss several weeks, John Denton of MLB.com
On top of what seems to be a multi-week absence, Nootbar will need at least a week-long rehab assignment in the minors, meaning the 26-year-old may miss the entirety of June. While he's sidelined, Alec Burleson should serve as St. Louis' everyday right fielder, while Matt Carpenter should see the brunt of the DH work.
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Cardinals' Brandon Crawford: Drawing rare start
Rotowire
Crawford will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Friday's game versus the Phillies.
The veteran shortstop is receiving a rare start as Masyn Winn gets a day off. Crawford is a woeful 3-for-31 (all singles) at the plate for St. Louis this season. This will be the first time he's played in nearly two weeks.
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Cardinals' Masyn Winn: Getting breather Friday
Rotowire
Winn is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in Philadelphia.
Winn is riding an 18-game hit streak, but he will be given a day of rest as the Cardinals open a weekend series against the Phillies. Brandon Crawford will handle shortstop duties.
Gallegos (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Friday.
Gallegos has been on the shelf since early May with a right shoulder impingement but has shown enough progress in recent live batting practice sessions that he's been cleared for game action. The veteran reliever had allowed 12 runs over nine innings before getting hurt, so the Cardinals could slow-play his rehab assignment to make sure he's sharp before being activated.
