NEW YORK — Third baseman Troy Glaus will not be returning to a minor-league rehab anytime soon and his prospects for playing at all this season may be in jeopardy after a bulging disc in his lower back failed to respond to a recent series of injections.

General manager John Mozeliak confirmed that Glaus won’t be returning “anytime in the near term” on Tuesday afternoon, citing reports he received from the team’s medical staff Monday night.

“It’s not good,” Mozeliak said. “Unfortunately it means he won’t be going back out any time soon.”

Mozeliak projected that Glaus may be prevented from getting back on the field for four weeks, compromising any chance he has of an extensive rehab assignment. Glaus estimated he was within 10-15 at-bats of returning to the Cardinals when the back issue complicated his rehab assignment at Triple-A Memphis.  He made one appearance at Double-A Springfield after being scratched from three starts at Memphis. Serving as designated hitter, Glaus was removed from the Springfield game after one at-bat.

Glaus returned to St. Louis last week to be examined. He received at least two injections but experienced little relief from discomfort. Glaus found it difficult to merely bend at the waist.

Glaus is a pending free agent who has not appeared in a major-league game since undergoing arthroscopic surgery last January to smooth muscle supporting his right shoulder. Difficulties throwing caused the club to expose Glaus to left field for the first time in his professional career.