The Cardinals won鈥檛 have starting pitcher Steven Matz at least until the middle of May, and it remains to be seen how they鈥檒l chose to fill the void in their rotation.
Matz, who dealt with 鈥渟oreness鈥 in his lower back in most recent start, went on the 15-day injured list with lower back strain Friday. His IL stint was backdated to May 1. The Cardinals recalled right-handed reliever Kyle Leahy in a corresponding roster move to take Matz鈥檚 place on the active roster.
The Cardinals (14-17) begin a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox (6-25) at Busch Stadium on Friday night. The White Sox enter the weekend with the worst record in the majors.
Thursday鈥檚 off day on the schedule allowed the Cardinals to rearrange their starting rotation after both right-hander Kyle Gibson and Matz started games in Tuesday鈥檚 doubleheader in Detroit. Matz (1-2, 6.18 ERA) had originally been slated to pitch Monday, but rain forced a postponement of that game.
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Cardinals ace Sonny Gray will start Friday night鈥檚 series opener, while Lance Lynn will start on Saturday followed by Gibson on Sunday. Matz had preceded Gibson in the rotation up until the doubleheader.
Leahy provides depth in the bullpen for the time being, and the Cardinals can push Matz鈥檚 spot in the rotation off until Tuesday. Miles Mikolas would remain on regular rest if he starts on Monday.
Options to step into Matz鈥檚 rotation spot likely include prospect Sem Robberse, a right-handed prospect currently in the rotation for Triple-A Memphis. Robberse pitched on Thursday night and could be on turn for Tuesday.
Acquired last summer as part of the trade that sent Jordan Hicks to the Toronto Blue Jays, Robberse is already on the Cardinals鈥 40-man roster. He has gotten off to an impressive start this season with a 4-0 record, a 1.77 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings in six starts for Memphis.
Wainwright will be the Fox analyst when the Cardinals host the Cubs on May 25
As the schedule relents, the Cardinals have fought temptation to trade defense for offense, and it's kept them steady, but they need hits, and fast, to really pop.
Cardinals president Bill DeWitt III is adamant that the team isn't seeking public subsidy right now. But if it did, he said, it would have a strong case to make.