Cardinals' Steven Matz Out Extended Time With Left Knee Injury

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Steven Matz will miss at least a month after suffering a partially torn MCL in his left knee while attempting to field a ground ball Saturday.

By video, the 31-year-old lefty likely has a grade 2 MCL sprain, according to our team of Pro Baseball Docs. He will not require surgery to fix the partial tear, but will require more than the minimum 15 days to heal.

Steven Matz Injury Update

The Cardinals placed Matz on the 15-day IL on Sunday, joining Dakota Hudson. 

Because the injury is to his left knee, the key to his return will be when he feels comfortable pitching from the stretch, according to the Pro Baseball Docs.

Matz was injured on this play in the bottom of the 6th inning on Saturday.

He walked off the field with the trainer and had a slight limp going down the steps to the dugout.

Saturday's start was his first since May 22, when he was placed on the IL with a left shoulder impingement.

In 10 starts this season, Matz is 4-3 with a 5.70 ERA in 42.2 innings pitched with 51 strikeouts.

The Cardinals currently sit at 51-46 and are in the final wild card spot in the National League.

James Naile was recalled from Triple-A Memphis to take Matz's spot on the roster.