Zack Thompson Shut Down 3-4 Weeks Due to Lat Strain

St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Zack Thompson has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 lat strain and will be sidelined for three to four weeks, according to president of baseball operations John Mozeliak. This injury is particularly disappointing for Thompson, who was vying for a role in the Cardinals' bullpen after a challenging previous season where he posted a 9.53 ERA in five games. He made one appearance this spring, pitching a scoreless inning but is now expected to start the season on the injured list. Thompson, a former first-round pick, has struggled with consistency at the major league level, registering a 4.50 ERA in his career thus far. The Cardinals will re-evaluate his condition after the shutdown period, but concerns about the lingering effects of lat strains have been noted. This setback could affect his chances of reclaiming a spot in the team's pitching rotation amid competition from other young prospects.