Jaime Garcia Shut Down For A Month

The St. Louis Cardinals will shut down Jaime Garcia for a month as the lefty deals with what the team called a shoulder strain. The Cards placed Garcia on the 15-day DL on Thursday but announced just two days later that he would be held out at least a month. Garcia visited with renowned orthopedist Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles on Friday, and the diagnosis for now is a strain in his throwing shoulder. General Manager John Mozeliak did say that surgery is not expected at this point.

Garcia was impressive in his first six starts of the season, posting a 2.78 ERA and allowing no home runs. But his season went off the rails over his next six starts, posting a 6.09 ERA that culminated this week with a disastrous two-inning start against the Astros.

The Cardinals promoted Joe Kelly from Triple-A Memphis to take Garcia's spot in the rotation. Kelly will make his major league debut on Sunday against the Indians.

For more on the Cardinals, please visit Viva El Birdos and SB Nation St. Louis.

Jaime Garcia Hits DL With Shoulder Strain

Jaime Garcia has had a rough time over his last six starts, posting a 6.09 ERA with a noted decrease in velocity. After his start on Tuesday, he said there was no pain anywhere, but added, “I’m not right.”

He was right about not being right; the Cardinals made a move with him Thursday:

Jaime Garcia placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to June 6 (left shoulder strain). Fernando Salas recalled from AAA; joins team in Houston.

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 7, 2012

Salas pitched in 18 games for the Cardinals earlier this year, all in relief, and he’s never made a start in his major-league career. It’s much more likely that Garcia’s place in the rotation will be taken by someone from Triple-A, such as Brandon Dickson or Joe Kelly.

Neither of these options is that appealing, but the Cardinals don’t have much choice these days.

For more on the Cardinals, please visit Viva El Birdos and SB Nation St. Louis.

Jaime Garcia: 'I'm Not Right.'