Matt Pushard
Breakdown
Performance
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May 16, 2026
Activated from IL
The Cardinals reinstated Pushard (knee) from the injured list Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis
Pushard landed on the injured list at the end of March with right knee tendinitis. He's made 11 rehab appearances at Triple-A Memphis since then, recording a 3.55 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 10 strikeouts over 12.2 innings. Now that the Rule 5 pick is fully healthy, the Cardinals will keep him in their big-league bullpen and likely use him as a middle reliever. Jared Shuster was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
May 15, 2026
Could return on homestand
Pushard (knee) could be activated from the 15-day injured list during the Cardinals' homestand beginning May 15, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis
Pushard has turned in seven innings of one-run ball with an 8:3 K:BB over his last six rehab appearances, and his 30-day rehab clock expires this week. The Cardinals intend to keep the Rule 5 pick around, so his activation appears imminent. Pushard has been dealing with right knee tendinitis.
May 11, 2026
Decision looming
The Cardinals must decide soon whether to return Pushard (knee) to the active roster or expose the Rule 5 pick to waivers, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis
Pushard -- who is coming back from right knee tendinitis -- checked off what could be the final box on his rehab assignment checklist Sunday with the second of back-to-back appearances at Triple-A Memphis. He's pitched well over his last five rehab outings, yielding a total of one run with an 8:3 K:BB covering six innings. If the Rule 5 pick is added back to St. Louis' active roster, he'll be used in a low-leverage relief role.