The Cardinals are already known to be in the market for left-handed relief help, and their need may have intensified, as Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that southpaw Tyler Lyons underwent surgery to correct “ongoing pain and trouble with the joint” — a procedure which GM John Mozeliak says will sideline the 28-year-old for five to six months.
[Related: St. Louis Cardinals Depth Chart]
A best-case scenario, it would seem, would have Lyons available to the Cardinals in mid-May, although certainly with any type of significant surgical procedure there’s a chance of setbacks and/or a prolonged rehabilitation process.
Lyons, 29 in February, posted a 3.38 ERA with a 46-to-14 K/BB ratio in 48 innings out of the St. Louis bullpen this past season and has a 3.58 ERA in 108 innings dating back to 2015. He was especially tough on left-handed hitters in 2016, limiting same-handed opponents to a laughable .156/.214/.250 batting line. With Lyons on the shelf for the early portion of the 2017 season, at least, Zach Duke out for the entire year following Tommy John surgery and another depth option (Dean Kiekhefer) lost to the Mariners on waivers, left-handed relief will unquestionably be a point of focus for the Cards in the months to come. As it stands, Kevin Siegrist again projects to be the top lefty in manager Mike Matheny’s bullpen, with other options including Marco Gonzales, Tim Cooney, Ryan Sherriff and Corey Littrell.
If the Cardinals look outside the organization, though, the free agent market bears a number of options, including Brett Cecil, Boone Logan, Jerry Blevins and Mike Dunn, among others.
Could see giving 3 years to get Jerry Blevins.
I would hope that after Zach Duke and Jordan Walden that they wouldn’t hand out a multi-year deal to any reliever who isn’t an elite closer.
I like mike Dunn. Power arm and another backend arm with experience
I wonder if they would consider waiving him to clear a roster spot.
Why are Cards fans so eager to dump talent? from Rosie to Jaime to now Lyons. makes little sense.
Who said I was a Cards fan? If I remember correctly, Lyons was an out-of-options guy who made the team largely because he can’t be sent down. Kind of a marginal talent but intriguing for teams like Milwaukee or San Diego who could take a chance on him.
I doubt it. I imagine they’ll hold on to him over the winter and then stash him on the 60 day DL if he doesn’t project to be back by June or so
I don’t think you can waive a guy who’s been injured.