Cardinals Activate Pitcher After 2-Months on IL

It's been a long road back to active duty, but finally, after nearly two long months, St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz has been activated off the injured list. 

#stlcards have activated Steven Matz from the IL and placed Drew VerHagen on the IL again with a right hip impingement, retroactive to July 15

— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) July 17, 2022

Matz suffered a shoulder impingement way back on May 22nd, and has been working his way back since then. He was supposed to start Sunday's game between the Cards and the Cincinnati Reds, but it was rained out. So Matz will have to wait nearly another week to get back on the mound, with the All-Star break now upon us.  

The 31-year-old Matz signed a 4-year, $44M free agent contract with St. Louis this past offseason, but his tenure with the Redbirds hasn't gotten off to the start both sides intended. 

In addition to the two-month layoff, Matz, in his nine starts, has a 6.03 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP in 37.1 innings. More promising, however, is his 44:8 K:BB ratio.

Matz will take the spot on the roster of right-hander Drew VerHagen, who heads to the 15-day IL with a right hip impingement, his 3rd trip to the IL this season.

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