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  • Beginning rehab assignment Tuesday
    Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that Contreras (forearm) is likely to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with either Triple-A Memphis or Double-A Springfield, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Contreras reached a meaningful milestone in his recovery from surgery to repair a fractured left forearm by taking batting practice earlier in the weekend, and with the veteran backstop apparently coming out of the workout without any renewed soreness, he looks like he's ready for game action. Because he's been on the shelf since May 8, Contreras could stay on his minor-league rehab assignment throughout the week before potentially returning from the 10-day injured list before the end of June. Once Contreras is activated, he should reclaim the No. 1 catcher's role from Ivan Herrera. Rotowire.com Today, 9:52 am
     
  • Contreras (forearm) likely to begin rehab Tuesday
    Willson Contreras (forearm) is likely going to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.

    Advice: Contreras has made a rapid recovery from surgery to repair his fractured forearm, and what looked to be an injury that would keep him out through the All-Star break now appears to be one where he could be back as the Cardinals backstop in the next week. Keep in mind that setbacks do happen, but all signs point to the 32-year-old being a regular for the Cardinals much sooner than anticipated. Rotoworld Today, 9:05 am
     
  • Aiming for return in late June
    Contreras (forearm) is targeting a return in late June, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.

    Advice: Contreras has resumed taking batting practice and hopes to be cleared to begin a rehab assignment early next week. If that happens, a return sometime during the Cardinals' June 22-30 homestand is likely. It would be at least a couple weeks quicker than he was initially expected back following surgery in early May to repair a fractured forearm. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:04 am
     
  • More BP, then games
    Contreras (forearm) came out of his Friday's batting practice session with no issues and will repeat the step for the next few days, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: It was the first time Contreras had taken BP since he had surgery on his fractured left forearm in early May. The hope is that he will be ready for a rehab assignment after a few days of batting practice, but he will need to gain medical clearance first. Contreras is tracking toward an earlier-than-expected return, but there's no target date just yet. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:45 am
     
  • Receiving Friday off
    Jeffers is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Oakland.

    Advice: Jeffers has yet to make consecutive starts behind the plate this season, and his playing time has slipped lately, as he hasn't made a start at designated hitter since June 1. It's been a rough month so far for the 27-year-old, who has gone 3-for-30 through nine contests. Christian Vazquez will step in behind the plate Friday to catch for Simeon Woods Richardson. Rotowire.com Friday, 1:36 pm
    Ryan JeffersMIN - C
    Top 6, 4-0 vs OAK ; 4:40 pm vs OAK
    Player Note
     
  • Could start rehab games Tuesday
    Contreras (forearm) is hoping to begin a rehab assignment around June 18, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

    Advice: Contreras is just five weeks into a projected 10-week timetable following surgery to repair a fractured left forearm, but Goold writes that the catcher is "eager to push the timetable for his return." He took batting practice in the cage Thursday and has been catching bullpen sessions without issue. If Contreras is indeed able to start a rehab assignment by Tuesday, he could be just a week or so away from activation. Rotowire.com Thursday, 11:26 am
     
  • Taking full BP in cage
    Contreras (forearm) will take full batting practice in the indoor batting cage Thursday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Contreras is barely more than a month removed from surgery to repair a fractured left forearm. He was given a 10-week timetable to return following the operation but would appear to be ahead of schedule, given that he's already taking batting practice. Before being activated from the injured list, Contreras will surely need to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment, but it's uncertain when he might be cleared to join one of the Cardinals' affiliates for game action. Rotowire.com Thursday, 10:28 am
     
  • Not in Wednesday's lineup
    Jeffers is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Rockies.

    Advice: Jeffers started at catcher in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Rockies, so he will get a breather for Wednesday's afternoon tilt. Christian Vazquez will be behind the plate for the rubber game of the series. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 6:50 am
    Ryan JeffersMIN - C
    Top 6, 4-0 vs OAK ; 4:40 pm vs OAK
    Player Note
     
  • Swinging bat
    Contreras (forearm) hit soft toss Tuesday and caught a bullpen session, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

    Advice: Contreras had previously been throwing, running and catching, but Tuesday marks the first time he's swung a bat since undergoing surgery May 9. The 32-year-old also caught a bullpen from Nick Robertson on Tuesday, an encouraging sign considering the fractured wrist was on his glove hand. Still, it's been just over four weeks of what's expected to be a 10-week recovery period for Contreras, which puts a timeline for return in the middle of July. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 1:45 pm