MLB Player News

Lugo (elbow) will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Lugo was expected to return early in the week, and manager Luis Rojas confirmed Saturday that the right-hander will be reinstated when he's first eligible. Lugo underwent surgery to remove a loose body from his right elbow in mid-February but should be available to make his season debut in Monday's series opener in Arizona. Rojas clarified that Lugo's reinstatement could be pushed back due to weather conditions, but the team currently plans to have him back Monday.

Gonsolin (shoulder) could return to the major-league club after one more rehab start, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Gonsolin made his second rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday and gave up three runs on two hits and a walk while striking out four in 3.2 innings. Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Gonsolin could rejoin the team if the right-hander is able to pitch around five innings or 75 pitches in his next appearance. Gonsolin was slated to begin the year in a bullpen role before he suffered the injury, but he should compete with David Price for the fifth spot in the rotation since Dustin May (elbow) is out for the season.

Oviedo was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Oviedo started Friday's game in Arizona and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and six walks while striking out three in 4.1 innings. He'll remain with the taxi squad, so he could be available if injuries occur in the Cardinals' pitching staff. Right-hander Junior Fernandez was recalled in a corresponding move.

Walker (side) was activated off the injured list as expected ahead of his scheduled start Saturday against Atlanta.

Walker was originally scheduled to return after missing the minimum 10 days due to side soreness, but a postponement Friday meant he had to wait one extra day. He'd pitched quite well prior to the injury, as his 2.05 ERA and 0.98 WHIP should still look good even after his .214 BABIP rises. Yennsy Diaz was optioned in a corresponding move.

Mikolas (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Mikolas will be reevaluated in 4-to-6 weeks after he received a stem cell injection Saturday, so his shift to the 60-day IL doesn't come as a surprise. The move will clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Jose Rondon, whose contract was selected in a corresponding move.

Webb (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Saturday's start against the Dodgers, Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

Webb only missed one turn through the rotation due to a mild right shoulder strain. The right-hander used all of his pitches in a 35-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and didn't require a rehab assignment before returning. It's not clear whether Webb will be on a pitch count Saturday, but Scott Kazmir could serve in a piggyback role if Webb isn't fully built up. Jason Vosler and Nick Tropeano were optioned to Triple-A Sacramento as part of Saturday's roster shuffle.

Gutierrez is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Phillies, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gutierrez made his major-league debut against the Cubs on Friday and was charged with an unlucky loss in the pitching duel against Adbert Alzolay. However, manager David Bell was pleased with the right-hander's performance, and he'll remain in the rotation for at least one more start after right-hander Jeff Hoffman (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Woodford (1-0) was credited with the win in a victory over the Diamondbacks on Friday, firing 2.2 scoreless innings during which he allowed one hit and recorded six strikeouts.

Woodford's final line tells the tale of how dominant he was, with the right-hander throwing 24 of his 33 pitches for strikes and notching eight swinging strikes along the way. Woodford has given up multiple earned runs in two of seven appearances, but he's pitched scoreless ball across his other five outings on his way to a 3.65 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 12.1 innings.

Oviedo allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and six walks while striking out three across 4.1 innings against Arizona on Friday. He did not factor in the decision.

Oviedo was called up Friday and given a chance to start against one of the league's least successful teams. He was given plenty of offensive support -- St. Louis scored four runs in the first inning -- but needed 91 pitches (only 48 of which were strikes) to get through 4.1 frames and couldn't stick around long enough to quality for the win. The right-hander again got himself into trouble by issuing too many free passes, issuing six walks after yielding five across two innings in his previous appearance. Oviedo's 5.40 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 15:16 K:BB on the season are far from impressive, but he could get another start, which would likely come against Cincinnati next week.

Buehler started Friday's 8-5 loss to San Francisco, going six innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks with three strikeouts. He didn't factor into the decision.

Buehler pitched well despite his lowest strikeout total of the season, letting only two runs cross the plate in separate low-stress innings. Buehler has been extremely consistent this season, going between six and seven innings in every single start this season, though his 8.7 K/9 is a bit underwhelming for his lofty standards.