Left-hander Steven Matz could be ready to rejoin the Cardinals in September, even if he returns as a reliever.
St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Matz will throw off the mound this weekend, less than a month after tearing the MCL in his left knee while fielding a ground ball in Cincinnati.
Matz is 3-3 with a 6.03 ERA this season, his first with the Cardinals after signing a four-year, $44 million deal in the offseason.
Advancing his rehab at this stage could be a swift process. While Matz was out, the Cardinals added left-handers Jordan Montgomery and Jose Quintana at the trade deadline.
"Our hope is he gets [to throw] off the bump," Marmol said of what role Matz would have if he returns. "Knowing his personality, he'd be open to whatever is needed. I haven't put real thought into [his role] until he gets off the mound and says, 'I'm feeling pretty good.' Then, we'll figure out what's the best to do there."
In his first start back from a two-month absence caused by shoulder discomfort, Matz had seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings against the Reds when he was injured on July 23.
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