Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

Lefty reliever Zach Duke, who made 28 appearances for the Cardinals after being acquired on July 31, will not make another in 2017.

General manager John Mozeliak confirmed that Duke recently underwent surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament as well as a forearm flexor muscle in his left arm. Recovery from the surgery is expected to take between 12 and 18 months.

“It’s definitely disappointing. He did a really good job for us, and I was looking at him as being a key member of that bullpen,” Mozeliak said. “We’ll look at it and figure out how to best solve this moving forward.”

This news has already thrown a wrinkle in the Cardinals’ developing offseason plans, as it will force the organization, Mozeliak acknowledged, to look more seriously at the reliever market.

As the Cardinals sought to fortify their bullpen at the Trade Deadline, they pursued Duke partially because he was also under contract next season. Now, the club is on the hook for the $5.5 million he is due in 2017. That is the final year of Duke’s contract.

The first indication that Duke was dealing with arm troubles came during the final week of the regular season. After pitching six times in a seven-day span, Duke was deemed unavailable by manager Mike Matheny for the team’s final series. At the time, Matheny cited arm discomfort and usage concerns as the reasons for being cautious.

Once the season ended, the Cardinals ran Duke through a series of medical exams. It was then that they discovered the severity of his injuries.

Combined between the Cardinals and White Sox, Duke made 81 appearances in 2016. Only San Diego’s Brad Hand tallied more. Duke finished with a 2.36 ERA and held opponents to a .217 batting average. He was even stingier after coming to the National League. With the Cardinals, Duke allowed five runs in 28 appearances while filling a set-up role.

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Records: Cardinals (85-76, -17.5 in NL Central), Pirates (78-82, -24.0 in NL Central)

Wild Card: Mets (+1.0), Giants, Cardinals (-1.0)

First pitch: 2:15 pm CT

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Midwest, 1120 KMOX

Cardinals lineup: Matt Carpenter (1B), Aledmys Diaz (SS), Yadier Molina (C), Stephen Piscotty (RF), Jhonny Peralta (3B), Brandon Moss (LF), Jedd Gyorko (2B), Randal Grichuk (CF), Adam Wainwright (RHP)

Pirates lineup: TBA

Transactions: None

Reading material:

• The Cardinals’ bullpen saved the day with eight scoreless innings on Saturday (link)
• Game recap from the Cardinals’ 4-3 win over the Pirates on Saturday (link)
• From a part-time role to a 30-homer player, Jedd Gyorko has emerged as an impact player for the Cardinals this season (link)
• Matt Holliday, on his farewell to the organization and his future (link)

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Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

Records: Cardinals (83-76, -18.5 in NL Central), Pirates (78-80,-23.0 in NL Central)

Wild Card: Mets (+1.0), Giants, Cardinals (-1.0)

First pitch: 7:15 pm CT

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Midwest, 1120 KMOX

Cardinals lineup: Matt Carpenter (1B), Aledmys Diaz (SS), Yadier Molina (C), Stephen Piscotty (RF), Jhonny Peralta (3B), Brandon Moss (LF), Jedd Gyorko (2B), Randal Grichuk (CF), Carlos Martinez (RHP)

Pirates lineup: Josh Bell (RF), Gregory Polanco (LF), Andrew McCutchen (CF), Jung Ho Kang (3B), John Jaso (1B), Sean Rodriguez (SS), Alen Hanson (2B), Eric Fryer (C), Tyler Glasnow (LHP)

Transactions: The Cardinals activated LF Matt Holliday from the 15-day disabled list

Reading material:

• Cardinals do not plan to exercise their 2017 club option on Matt Holliday, but will try to script a sendoff for him this weekend (link)
• Game recap from a controversial 4-3 win over the Reds on Thursday (link)
• More on the controversial conclusion to Thursday’s game, with reaction from all parties involved (link)
• Yadier and Bengie Molina share a special moment as part of the Cardinals’ first Spanish-language broadcast (link)

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Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

Matt Holliday issued the following statement today after learning that the Cardinals do not plan to exercise his $17-million option:

I would like to thank Mr. DeWitt, Mo and the entire ownership group for the opportunity to play for the St. Louis Cardinals.

I am proud of what we have accomplished on and off the field during the past seven years. I have also been humbled by the incredible support and participation in our Homers for Health program.

It has been an honor to play in front of such great fans and for such an historic organization. I can honestly say it has been a dream come true.

While I’m disappointed this could be it here in St. Louis, I understand that it might be time to move on.

I’d like to express my love and admiration for Tony, Mike, and all of the coaches and staff that I have had the pleasure to do life with these past 7+ years.

The most emotional part of this is my teammates and the relationships I’ve built with some of these guys over the years. Particularly, Adam and Yadi, to be considered part of the core with two of the finest human beings I’ve ever known.

Finally, I’m eternally thankful for the Lord bringing me to the city of St. Louis in August of 2009. Lots of cool stuff has happened since then. On behalf of my wife Leslee and our children, Jackson, Ethan, Gracyn and Reed – Thank you!

Matt

 

Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

Records: Cardinals (82-75, -19.0 in NL Central), Reds (66-91, -35.0 in NL Central)

Wild Card: Mets (+0.5), Giants, Cardinals (-1.0)

First pitch: 7:15 pm CT

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Midwest, 1120 KMOX

Cardinals lineup: Matt Carpenter (1B), Randal Grichuk (CF), Yadier Molina (C), Stephen Piscotty (RF), Jhonny Peralta (3B), Brandon Moss (LF), Aledmys Diaz (SS), Greg Garcia (2B), Mike Leake (RHP)

Reds lineup: Jose Peraza (SS), Scott Schebler (CF), Joey Votto (1B), Adam Duvall (LF), Eugenio Suarez (3B), Steve Selsky (RF), Tony Renda (2B), Ramon Cabrera (C), Anthony DeSclafani (RHP)

Transactions: None

Reading material:

• Playing with a heavy heart, Aledmys Diaz hits a grand slam for his late friend, Jose Fernandez (link)
• Game recap from the Cardinals’ 12-5 win over the Reds on Tuesday (link)
• GM John Mozeliak addresses the manager’s job security, Brandon Moss’ contract status, the defense and more in a Q&A (link)
• Cardinals to wait and see before naming a Saturday starter (link)
• It’s looks unlikely that Matt Holliday will contribute again this regular season (link)

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Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

Records: Cardinals (81-74, -18.0 in NL Central), Reds (65-90, -34.0 in NL Central)

Wild Card: Mets (+1.0), Giants, Cardinals (-0.5), Marlins (-4.5), Pirates (-4.5)

First pitch: 7:15 pm CT

Cardinals lineup: Greg Garcia (2B), Stephen Piscotty (RF), Yadier Molina (C), Matt Adams (1B), Jhonny Peralta (3B), Brandon Moss (LF), Jedd Gyorko (SS), Randal Grichuk (CF), Jaime Garcia (LHP)

Reds lineup: Jose Peraza (SS), Eugenio Suarez (3B), Joey Votto (1B), Adam Duvall (LF), Brandon Phillips (2B), Scott Schebler (CF), Steve Selsky (RF), Tucker Barnhart (C), Tim Adleman (RHP)

Transactions: None

Reading material:

• Game recap from the Cardinals’ 3-1 loss to the Cubs on Sunday (link)
• Aledmys Diaz, Cardinals mourn the loss of Jose Fernandez (link)
• Brandon Moss continues to scuffle… as does most of the Cardinals’ offense (link)

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Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

Records: Cardinals (81-73, -17.0 in NL Central), Cubs (98-55, +17.0 in NL Central)

Wild Card: Mets, Giants, Cardinals (-0.5), Pirates (-4.5), Marlins (-5.0)

First pitch: 7:08 pm CT

TV/Radio: ESPN, 1120 KMOX

Cardinals lineup: Matt Carpenter (2B), Stephen Piscotty (RF), Jhonny Peralta (3B), Brandon Moss (1B), Yadier Molina (C), Jedd Gyorko (SS), Randal Grichuk (CF), Jose Martinez (LF), Carlos Martinez (RHP)

Cubs lineup: Dexter Fowler (CF), Kris Bryant (LF), Anthony Rizzo (1B), Ben Zobrist (2B), Addison Russell (SS), Jason Heyward (RF), Javier Baez (3B), David Ross (C), Jon Lester (LHP)

Transactions: None

Reading material:

• Game recap from the Cardinals’ 10-4 win over the Cubs on Saturday (link)
• The Cardinals’ offense shows its depth by scoring early and often in Saturday’s win (link)
• Matt Holliday’s rehab work is on pause until after he visits a hand specialist on Monday (link)

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Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

Records: Cardinals (80-73, -18.0 in NL Central), Cubs (98-55, +18.0 in NL Central)

Wild Card: Mets (+1.0), Giants, Cardinals (-0.5), Pirates (-3.5), Marlins (-5.0)

First pitch: 12:05 pm CT

TV/Radio: FOX, 1120 KMOX

Cardinals lineup: Matt Carpenter (2B), Stephen Piscotty (RF), Brandon Moss (LF), Jhonny Peralta (3B), Matt Adams (1B), Yadier Molina (C), Randal Grichuk (CF), Aledmys Diaz (SS), Alex Reyes (RHP)

Cubs lineup: Dexter Fowler (CF), Kris Bryant (3B), Anthony Rizzo (1B), Ben Zobrist (2B), Addison Russell (SS), Jason Heyward (RF), Jorge Soler (LF), Willson Contreras (C), Jason Hammel (RHP)

Transactions: None

Reading material:

• Game recap from the Cardinals’ 5-0 loss to the Cubs on Friday (link)
• It was a sloppy start that once again sunk the Cardinals – and that’s becoming all too (frustratingly) familiar (link)
• Matt Holliday hit against live pitching on Friday as he inches closer to a return (link)
• Jaime Garcia is moving back into the Cardinals’ rotation after a successful bullpen stint (link)

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Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

Records: Cardinals (80-72, -17.0 in NL Central), Cubs (97-55, +17.0 in NL Central)

First pitch: 1:20 pm CT

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Midwest, ESPN, 1120 KMOX

Cardinals lineup: Matt Carpenter (2B), Jedd Gyorko (SS), Stephen Piscotty (RF), Matt Adams (1B), Yadier Molina (C), Randal Grichuk (CF), Jhonny Peralta (3B), Kolten Wong (LF), Mike Leake (RHP)

Cubs lineup: Dexter Fowler (CF), Kris Bryant (3B), Anthony Rizzo (1B), Ben Zobrist (2B), Addison Russell (SS), Jason Heyward (RF), Chris Coghlan (LF), Miguel Montero (C), Jake Arrieta (RHP)

Transactions: None

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Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

Records: Cardinals (77-71, -17.0 in NL Central), Giants (79-69, -5.0 in NL West)

Wild Card: Giants/Mets, Cardinals (-2.0), Pirates (-5.0), Marlins (-6.0)

First pitch: 3:05 pm CT

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Midwest, 1120 KMOX

Cardinals lineup: Matt Carpenter (1B), Aledmys Diaz (SS), Brandon Moss (LF), Stephen Piscotty (RF), Yadier Molina (C), Jedd Gyorko (3B), Randal Grichuk (CF), Kolten Wong (2B), Alex Reyes (RHP)

Giants lineup: Denard Span (CF), Angel Pagan (LF), Brandon Crawford (SS), Hunter Pence (RF), Brandon Belt (1B), Eduardo Nunez (3B), Joe Panik (2B), Trevor Brown (C), Albert Suarez (RHP)

Transactions: None

Reading material:

• Game recap from the Cardinals’ come-from-behind, 3-2 victory on Saturday (link)
• Randal Grichuk and Kolten Wong key comeback win as both continue to flourish near the finish of an adversity-laden season (link)
• Swollen thumb precludes Matt Holliday from facing live pitching on Saturday, leaves his status in limbo (link)

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