Hicks (elbow) threw a bullpen session Monday, his first time doing so since suffering his injury May 1, the team's official site reports.
Hicks has been playing catch regularly in the field for some time, but the return to the mound is naturally a significant step in his recovery. The Cardinals continue to hold out hope they'll be able to get Hicks some game action -- be it at the major- or minor-league level -- before the end of the season, but they will continue to operate with considerable caution given the hard-throwing right-hander's extensive injury history.