Michael Wacha’s MRI is encouraging, out until September

Michael Wacha underwent another MRI on Monday and it was encouraging but the St. Louis Cardinals pitcher is likely going to be out until September.

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According to Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the stress reaction in Wacha’s right scapula has healed to the point in which Wacha can make progress in his pre-throwing program this week.

The hope for the Cardinals is that Wacha will make it to the next phase in two weeks, which would be to start throwing.

General manager John Mozeliak found the results to be encouraging news not only for Wacha but for the organization.

"“This is positive,” said Mozeliak. “This still could put him (pitching for the Cardinals) in early September.”"

Two weeks ago, Mozeliak has little hope that Wacha could pitch in September. Wacha’s last start came on June 17 against the New York Mets. In fifteen starts this season, Wacha is 5-5 with a 2.79 ERA.

According to Hummel, the medical staff tole Mozeliak that “it would be about three weeks for Wacha to be able to pitch somewhere” if Wacha starts throwing in early August.

"The likelihood then would be that Wacha could get a couple of rehabilitation starts while the minor league teams still were playing and then join the Cardinals when rosters can be expanded after Sept. 1."

Mo stressed that the Wacha news is unrelated to anything that the team may trade for prior to the July 31 trading deadline.