Jason Motte (elbow) threw a successful bullpen session on Sunday to a crouching catcher for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery.

While Motte was only throwing at 50-60 percent effort, it marked an important step in his recovery process. The most likely scenario still has him beginning the season on the disabled list, but he should be able to rejoin the Cardinals bullpen relatively early in the year. He'll work in a setup capacity in front of new closer Trevor Rosenthal.

Jason Motte (elbow) is on track to pitch off a mound sometime next week.

Until now, Motte had been throwing off a mound to a standing catcher. Next week's pitches will be closer to max effort, a step forward in his recovery from Tommy John surgery last May. Motte's still likely to begin the season on the disabled list, but the hope is that he won't miss too much time once games start.

Jason Motte (elbow) will throw off a mound on Friday.

Motte had originally been scheduled for long-toss, but he's evidently feeling well enough to try things off the bump. He already threw some off the mound earlier this offseason, so while nice to see, this doesn't really qualify as big news. Still, it appears his rehab is coming along well. Motte will begin the season on the DL.

Jason Motte (elbow) will resume his throwing program later this week.

Motte has been on a scheduled break from his throwing program since before the holidays, but he's headed to the Cardinals' spring training complex Monday and will resume throwing a day or two after that. The hard-throwing reliever is hoping to be game-ready by mid-March and will almost surely begin the year on the DL. However, barring any setbacks, he'll operate as the main setup man for Trevor Rosenthal for the bulk of the season.

Jason Motte (elbow) is hoping to be game-ready by mid-March.

Motte is currently on a scheduled break from throwing as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. He last threw a bullpen session just before Thanksgiving and did so at about 75 percent. Motte will enter spring training a few weeks behind the other Cardinals pitchers and there's a good chance he'll begin the season on the DL. When he does return, the former 40-save man will be used to help set up for Trevor Rosenthal.

Jason Motte (elbow) is currently throwing three days a week at his home in Memphis while he continues his rehab from Tommy John surgery.

The 31-year-old right-hander will take some time off of his throwing program from Thanksgiving to Christmas, then head to the team's spring training facility in Jupiter, Florida in early January to continue his rehab. Motte believes he's on track to return next April or early May. He's slated to pitch as a setup man initially upon his return, as Cardinals skipper Mike Matheny has already named Trevor Rosenthal as his closer to begin the 2014 season.

Cardinals activated RHP Jason Motte from the 60-day disabled list.

The reliever underwent Tommy John surgery in early May and could miss the beginning of the 2014 season. If Motte was active for the opener, it would allow St. Louis to be more flexible with Trevor Rosenthal's future role.

Jason Motte (elbow) began a throwing program Monday.

Motte threw lightly into a net 20 times and will do the same Wednesday as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. The reliever had surgery in early May and could miss the beginning of next season. "I just take it one day at a time," Motte said. "It was 20 throws into a net, it wasn't really that strenuous. You could get a 3-year-old to do that, so it wasn't really that tough. But it felt fine."

Cardinals transferred RHP Jason Motte from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

The move is being made in order to clear space on the 40-man roster for John Gast, who will be called up to start Tuesday. Motte is out for the year following Tommy John surgery.

Jason Motte underwent successful Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Tuesday in St. Louis.

Jason Motte will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Monday.

Motte held out hope that he could rehab the injury, but he finally opted for surgery after he felt discomfort while throwing Friday. The 30-year-old right-hander will miss the entire 2013 season and could have a late start in 2014. While it's a tough break for the Cardinals, Edward Mujica has emerged as a strong replacement at closer in recent weeks.

Jason Motte (elbow) on Tuesday threw from a greater distance and with more intensity than he had in his previous games of catch.

Motte threw about 25 times from 60 feet and then extended to 90 feet, saying he felt no pain. "It felt good," he said. "However it reacts to that day's throwing or exercise, that's where we go. I could feel great today and come in tomorrow and say, 'Geez, I can't feel my arm' or 'Everything feels fine.'" The Cardinals have pushed back their previously scheduled May 1 deadline in order to see how Motte's elbow responds. We'll have a better idea if he can manage to avoid surgery once he starts throwing from a mound.

Jason Motte (elbow) played catch from about 50 feet on Sunday.

Motte's elbow evidently responded well to a game of catch on Saturday. It remains likely that the closer will eventually require Tommy John surgery, but he's made enough progress that the Cardinals are delaying a decision until after their previously scheduled May 1 deadline.

The Cardinals are willing to extend the May 1 deadline for determining if Jason Motte (elbow) will need to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Motte was able to play catch Saturday and has taken enough steps that the Cardinals are still holding out hope he can avoid surgery. Of course, it might just be that they're delaying the inevitable. Motte is attempting to pitch through a tear in his right UCL and has been out all season. Edward Mujica will continue to replace him at closer, with Mitchell Boggs and Trevor Rosenthal staying in setup roles.

Jason Motte (elbow) will be shut down until May 1, and if he cannot progress by that point, he will undergo surgery.

Jason Motte will undergo a follow-up MRI on his right elbow on Tuesday.

Motte hasn't thrown since he was diagnosed with a flexor tendon strain in his right elbow in March. He has been focusing on arm exercises to strengthen the elbow, but the MRI will be the real test for his progress. Mitchell Boggs will continue to close for now, but Trevor Rosenthal could eventually become a threat for the job if Motte requires a lengthy absence.

Jason Motte (elbow) will be re-evaluated during the middle of the Cardinals' April 8-14 home stand.

Sidelined with a flexor tendon strain in his pitching elbow, there is no timetable for when Motte might resume throwing. The Cardinals are hopeful that rest and rehab will work for the injury, but it's possible surgery will eventually be an option. Mitchell Boggs is closing for the Cards with Motte out.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Jason Motte (elbow) is "still a significant time away" from being cleared for a throwing program.

Motte will open the season on the disabled list and won't be reevaluated for at least another two weeks. While the injury isn't a long-term concern at this point, Motte remains without a timetable to return. Mitchell Boggs will handle the early-season save chances for the Cardinals.

Cardinals placed RHP Jason Motte on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 22, with a strained right elbow.

Motte was shut down over the weekend due to mild flexor tendon strain in his right elbow. It's not a long-term concern at the moment, but Mitchell Boggs will handle the early save chances for the Cardinals this season.

Jason Motte has a "mild strain" on his right elbow and is expected to open the season on the disabled list.

Motte felt stiffness in his elbow after Thursday's game and an MRI confirmed that he's dealing with a slight tear. The Cardinals don't have a timetable for his return, but Motte will be shut down for the rest of spring training and won't be ready for the start of the season. Mitchell Boggs will get the first opportunity to serve as closer in his absence.