ST. LOUIS -- The chances that Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha will pitch again this season went from hopeful to very strong after undergoing a round of tests on Monday.
While the MRI and CT results showed that the issue with his right shoulder -- a stress reaction -- has not completely cleared, there has been "vast improvement," general manager John Mozeliak said.
The plan is for Wacha to move into a "pre-throwing program" and begin throwing in two weeks. He will undergo another MRI and CT scan in two weeks, Mozeliak said.
If Wacha begins a throwing program in early August, he should be ready to return to big-league duty in early September, barring setbacks.
"This is encouraging," Mozeliak added.
Wacha, 5-5 with a 2.79 ERA in 15 starts, last pitched on June 17.
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