What It Means:

Lynn underwent Tommy John surgery in November, and the original expectation was that he would be sidelined for the entire 2016 season, but Lynn has convinced St. Louis that he's healthy enough to see some game action. The Cardinals might choose to be cautious at some point, but there's a possibility that Lynn could have a role come September.

Lynn posted a 3.03 ERA and a 3.90 xFIP in 175 1/3 innings last season, while recording a 22.24 strikeout percentage (league average was 20.39 percent). He had a 3.1 fWAR in 2015, the third straight season with a fWAR of at least that total.