ST. LOUIS — When the St. Louis Cardinals left town this afternoon for their two-city road trip, utility infielder Brendan Ryan figured to be going places, too. He just wanted the green light to pack his things and start his rehab assignment.

He got a flashing yellow.

After initial plans to ship him to Low-A Quad Cities this afternoon to begin working his way back to the majors, the Cardinals backed him off that plan. Shortly before game time, the club announced that Ryan was medically cleared to return to game action and that he would remain on the 15-day disabled list. He’ll be re-evaluated for a rehab assignment in the coming days.

When the Cardinals placed Ryan on the disabled list with a strained hamstring they did so knowing he would be ready to play before the 15 days expired. The plan was to send him out for some swings and some innings in the field on a short minor-league assignment.

This is the eight day of Ryan being on the DL. He’s eligible to come off May 15th, which is during the next homestand.

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