There are still quite a few hurdles to leap over, but Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha looks to be progressing toward a mid-to-late September return.
According to Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Wacha threw a 30-pitch bullpen session on Saturday afternoon at Busch Stadium, mixing in four or five changeups to a mostly fastball-focused workout. It was Wacha’s first time throwing off a mound since he was shut down in late June because of a stress reaction in his right shoulder.
“It felt good to get back out there on the mound,” the 23-year-old told reporters. “Arm felt great. It was 30 pitches. Pretty light throws but I’m happy with it.”
Wacha, a first-round pick in 2012, owns an outstanding 2.79 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 8.6 K/9 in 155 innings since making his major league debut in mid-2013. He won MVP honors in last year’s NLCS at the age of 22.