File: Jordan Walden pitching in Spring Training earlier this year.
By Chris Brown – STL Baseball Today
The road to a return to the mound in the big-leagues hasn’t been as quick one for reliever Jordan Walden.
Despite earlier reports that the Cardinals were expecting the 27-year-old back by the end of July, Walden’s rehab assignment at AAA Memphis has been “paused” to allow the right-hander to focus on regaining the strength lost since hitting the DL in late April with a right biceps/shoulder injury, MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch reports. For now, Walden will remain in St. Louis to work with the team’s medical staff.
While general manager John Mozeliak refused to call it a setback, he did say that the team needed “to slow him down.”
“We keep taking a step forward and a couple back,” manager Mike Matheny added.
Since Walden was pulled off his rehab assignment after nine days, he will be able to spend up to three more weeks in the minors before returning, if needed.
There’s currently no timetable for Walden’s return.
