Cardinals Injury Report: Jack Flaherty Returns To 15-Day IL With Shoulder Strain

After only his third start this season after recovering from a right shoulder issue, Cardinals' right-hander was placed on the 15-day IL after suffering a shoulder strain on Sunday. 

Jack Flaherty Injury Update

Flaherty struggled in each of his three starts, posting a 5.63 ERA and 2.13 WHIP while facing 42 batters in only eight innings. 

The 26-year-old reported shoulder soreness shortly after the league re-convened in March and was slowly working his way back to game shape after getting a PRP injection.

The ProBaseballDocs were concerned about Flaherty's right shoulder heading into the season and predicted that he would be vulnerable to future injury issues, which has unfortunately already come to pass. 

Flaherty has reportedly been dealing with shoulder inflammation and bursitis since last August, ailments that the Docs believe are related to the superior labrum anterior posterior, or SLAP, tear that he suffered several years ago. 

Flaherty reportedly stressed to St. Louis brass that he was ready to return to the big leagues after only two rehab starts, only half of the planned four minor league starts the team was expecting Flaherty to complete. 

After rushing him back last time, the Cardinals will likely be increasingly patient with the current recovery.

Flaherty said on Monday he remains optimistic about his health and ability to contribute to the Cardinals, who are 42-34 and only 0.5 games behind the Brewers in the NL Central. 

Harrison Bader Injury Update

The Cardinals also placed outfielder Harrison Bader on the 10-day IL with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. 

The 28-year-old said the foot pain has been worse in recent games and prevented him from “being the best version of myself.”

Bader is batting .258 with five home runs and 15 stolen bases this season and is the second starting outfielder, along with Tyler O'Neill, to head to the IL this month.