Cardinals' Miles Mikolas put on IL after exiting first start since 2019

May 23 (UPI) -- St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday, a day after leaving his first MLB start since the 2019 playoffs because of forearm tightness.

Mikolas, who won 18 games during the 2018 season, was activated Saturday for his first start since the 2019 National League Championship Series. He missed last season after undergoing flexor tendon surgery, then injured his pitching shoulder in his first bullpen session of this year.

Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said Saturday that Mikolas was having an MRI after the game. Shildt said before Sunday's series finale against the Chicago Cubs that initial tests showed no structural damage to Mikolas' right elbow or forearm area.

Mikolas will undergo additional testing before the team determines a course of action.

"There's obviously frustration, none more so than I'm sure with Miles. There's been a lot of time, energy and effort in rehab, like a real pro," Shildt told reporters. "... It's a cause for concern for a number of reasons, and Miles is frustrated with it.

"We'll just have to get back to the drawing board and figure out what it looks like so he can come back and not have that be an issue."

The 32-year-old Mikolas allowed one run and three hits in four innings Saturday against the Cubs. He recorded three strikeouts and walked one in his outing.

Mikolas grabbed at his right elbow while warming up for the fifth inning. He was then removed from the game.

In a corresponding roster move, St. Louis recalled right-hander Junior Fernandez from Triple-A Memphis.