St. Louis Cardinals’ Marco Gonzales out at least three weeks

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Marco Gonzales is out for at least another three weeks according to Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak.

Mozeliak is describing this latest setback on Gonzales’ shoulder as “an impingement” according to Fox Sports Midwest writer Luke Thompson. The pitcher was in St. Louis on Tuesday, where an MRI revealed that there was no kind of structural damage in his shoulder.

The former Gonzaga two-way star is going to stay in St. Louis for up to ten days as the Cardinals and trainers figure out what to do with the pitcher.

“I think it’s very good news, because this is something that can be managed and there’s probably a few things that he needs to start doing in his daily routine to get him through this,” Mozeliak said. “We’ll make sure that he understands that and is compliant with that.”

Gonzales will have to comply with strengthening program that he is being prescribed.

“As you start to get older and with the demands of pitching every day, there are certain things you are required to do,” Mozeliak said according to MLB.com. “I think some of that was not being done, and now he will understand that and be compliant moving forward.”

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In the meantime, the pitcher will get an injection to lower the inflammation. Gonzales went on the DL with a strained pectoral muscle in mid-April. This latest setback has led the Cardinals to rethink their plan for the pitcher during the 2015 season.

During the offseason, Gonzales was one of three candidates to make the fifth spot in the Cardinals starting rotation. Carlos Martinez won out over Gonzales and left-handed starter Jaime Garcia. Garcia, who also battled setbacks in spring training, picked up the win against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.

In six minor league starts this season, the pitcher is 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA.

With the absence of Gonzales, the Cardinals have lesser pitching depth in the minor leagues should the need arise to call up a spot starter. Neither Tim Cooner nor Tyler Lyons impressed when called upon during the 2015 season.