Steven Matz's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz, who was activated from the 60-day injured list on Sunday, will make the start for Tuesday's contest against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. The move to start Matz will give right-hander Erick Fedde an extra day of rest this week. Matz was available out of the bullpen on Sunday for the series finale in the Bronx against the New York Yankees, but he didn't pitch. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw has made only six starts for the Cards in 2024, and not since April 30. He wasn't very good in those six starts, yielding a 6.18 ERA and 1.73 WHIP while striking out only 17 and walking 11 in 27 2/3 innings, so fantasy managers should probably be looking to avoid him on Tuesday against the first-place Brewers. Matz is likely to head back to the bullpen after Tuesday's spot start, too, so leave him on the waiver wire in mixed leagues.

St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz (back) will make what the team hopes is one final minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday when the RedBirds visit Iowa. Manager Oliver Marmol said Matz's target will be around 90 pitches, the same as his previous start. He allowed four runs (one homer) on nine hits, one walk and a hit batter on Aug. 21 for Memphis, throwing 85 pitches (58 strikes) while striking out three in five innings. The veteran southpaw hasn't pitched for the Cardinals since April 30 due to persistent back pain. Matz is expected to rejoin the starting rotation once he finishes his rehab, but there's no easy answer to which spot he'll fill. President of baseball operations John Mozeliak mentioned the possibility of a six man rotation down the stretch, which might be the easiest answer.

St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz (back) is likely to have at least one more minor-league rehab start before the team reinstates him from the 60-day injured list. Matz allowed four earned runs on nine hits while walking one and striking out three in five innings (85 pitches) in his third rehab start for Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday night, and the Cardinals would like to see a little bit more from the 33-year-old southpaw before bringing him back to the majors. When Matz does return, it's possible that the Red Birds use a six-man starting rotation to close out the year to accommodate Matz. However, there's also the possibility that Matz is used in long relief. Either way, fantasy managers in mixed leagues can probably ignore him the rest of the way. Before his back injury, Matz had a 6.18 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and career-worst 13.4% strikeout rate in six starts.