Lynn pitching in Majors this year unlikely

ST. LOUIS — Though he’ll be throwing about 50 pitches in a rehab assignment start with Double-A Springfield on Wednesday, Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn, who is little more than nine months removed from Tommy John surgery, characterized his chances of a late-season return as “very slim.”

“I won’t be able to do anything really that’s going to help benefit the team,” Lynn said. “We’re treating it as rehab and kind of like a mini Spring Training so that when I go into Spring Training next year, I will be ready. There are always maybes if everything goes well, but the plan is to get through the rehab and get ready to go for next year.”

In two appearances with Class A Advanced Palm Beach last week, Lynn threw 63 combined pitches over 3 2/3 innings. He allowed four hits, three runs (one earned) and struck out four. Lynn did all this without any discomfort, which was the most encouraging result of all.

The build-up process will continue with Wednesday’s outing in Springfield and then two more in yet-to-be-determined affiliate locations. As of now, Lynn does not have plans to continue making game appearances beyond the …

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