JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals and Jack Flaherty are seeking a second opinion on the hard-throwing right-hander’s ailing shoulder, meaning there is still no answer as to his availability.
Flaherty, the Cardinals’ Opening Day starter in 2020 and 2021, almost certainly won’t be available for the season opener at Busch Stadium on April 7 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Further complicating matters is that Flaherty was unable to discuss his shoulder pain with the Cardinals medical staff throughout a 99-day lockout that stretched into March.
The Flaherty injury saga comes a day after former closer Alex Reyes was sent to Pensacola, Fla., to see famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews about his ailing right shoulder.