MLB Player News

Edman (wrist) remains limited to tee work, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

He has been cleared to up the intensity of his workouts, but Edman's progress remains, at best, slow, with no return date in sight. The switch hitter was transferred to the 60-day injured list earlier this week, so he's officially not eligible for activation until late May.

Rom underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder last week, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

It sounds as though the operation wound up being less invasive than initially anticipated, with a return before the end of the season for Rom not totally ruled out. The left-hander had been plagued by shoulder issues since mid-March before finally opting for surgery.

Ahmed was removed from Thursday's game against the Rockies due to left wrist discomfort, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Ahmed took an awkward-looking swing during his first at-bat, and he was later pinch hit for by Tyler Fitzgerald in the fourth inning. The Giants didn't specify the severity of Ahmed's injury, though it's possible the 34-year-old shortstop sits out another game or two as a precaution.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Contreras is likely to be sidelined for about 10 weeks after successful surgery Wednesday to repair a fractured left forearm, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Contreras had offered a 6-to-8 week timetable himself earlier this week, but indications are that it will probably be a bit longer than that. It puts the catcher out likely until right around the All-Star break. Ivan Herrera will operate as the Cardinals' primary catcher while Contreras is sidelined, with Pedro Pages backing him up.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Liberatore will be available out of the bullpen for the team's series this weekend in Milwaukee, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Liberatore remains a candidate to draw a start early next week, but he will sit with the relievers this weekend in case he's needed. The left-hander allowed one run over 3.2 innings in a spot start versus the White Sox in his last appearance and before that held a 2.76 ERA in 12 relief appearances.

Blach tossed three innings out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 5-0 loss to the Giants, giving up one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out two.

Blach made a five-inning spot start for the Rockies in an April 24 loss to the Padres, but he's since moved into a long-relief role. After tossing four shutout innings behind starter Peter Lambert in a 5-4 loss to the Marlins on May 2, Blach was called upon to cover multiple frames once again Tuesday and pitched effectively.

Herrera isn't in the Cardinals' lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Herrera will get a day off Thursday after going 2-for-4 during Tuesday's game against the Mets. In his absence, Pedro Pages will pick up a start behind the plate and bat eighth.

Goldschmidt is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Milwaukee.

Goldschmidt had been slated to sit out Wednesday versus the Mets before that game was rained out, and he is again absent from the lineup card a day later. The 36-year-old is hitless so far in six contests this month. Alec Burleson will fill in for Goldschmidt at first base Thursday.

Gasser will be promoted from Triple-A Nashville to start Friday's game against the Cardinals, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The Brewers were forced into a six-man rotation after Freddy Peralta was hit with a five-game suspension, and the team will now call upon one of its top pitching prospects to fill the open spot. The 24-year-old Gasser got off to a late start after a bone spur in his elbow sidelined him for the first several weeks of the season, and he has posted a 5.25 ERA and 1.50 WHIP alongside a 17:6 K:BB through 12 innings in Triple-A since returning. Gasser may be sent back to Nashville after making his MLB debut Friday, though a strong start could allow him to stay in Milwaukee, as the Brewers have struggled with rotation depth to begin the year.

Freeland (elbow) played catch Thursday, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

It's the first time the left-hander has done any throwing since he landed on the 15-day injured list in mid-April with a left elbow strain. Freeland will continue with a throwing progression as tolerated but it's too soon to say when he might be ready to re-enter the Rockies' rotation.