Mitchell Boggs returned to action on Tuesday September 18.

Mitchell Boggs is unavailable to pitch Sunday due to lower back stiffness.

Boggs pitched a perfect eighth inning Saturday before Jason Motte's blown save. The Cards would likely use Edward Mujica to set up Sunday.

Mitchell Boggs allowed his first runs in 23 appearances in Wednesday's 15-0 loss to the Giants, allowing four tallies on two walks and two hits, one of which left the yard for a grand slam.

An extremely rough night, but nothing to worry about for a pitches who's been one of the National League's better relievers this season. The outing ballooned his ERA from 1.51 to 2.25. Through 51 appearances and 48 innings, Boggs has posted a 1.15 WHIP and 36/14 K/BB ratio.

Mitchell Boggs tossed a scoreless frame Sunday afternoon in the Cardinals' loss to the Indians.

Boggs did his part, retiring all three batters he faced in the eighth inning on just nine pitches. But Jason Motte surrendered a three-run homer to Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis in the ninth. Boggs now boasts a stellar 2.03 ERA and 24/9 K/BB ratio in 26 2/3 innings this season. He's quickly becoming a top setup man.

Mitchell Boggs was recently diagnosed with a bulging disc in his back.

Boggs finally has an answer for the recurrent back pain he has experienced over the past year. The 27-year-old right-hander has been given a set of exercises to address the condition and is confident that he can continue to pitch. "That's what they told me," said Boggs. "It's something that we need to pay attention to, but if we stay on top of it and do the things that they tell me to do, then we won't have any problems." Boggs allowed one run over two innings Monday against the Brewers in what was his first appearance since last Wednesday.

Cardinals recalled RHP Mitchell Boggs from Triple-A Memphis.

Boggs was sent down late last month to be stretched out in order to work on all of his pitches. The results were impressive, as he posted a 2.45 ERA and 14/5 K/BB ratio over 14 2/3 innings. He's now prepared to throw multiple innings if needed, but we would expect him to work his way back into high leverage situations before long.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Monday that Mitchell Boggs will be moved into the starting rotation with Triple-A Memphis.

According to Mozeliak, the move gives the Cardinals protection in the starting rotation and also allows Boggs to work on his secondary pitches. The 27-year-old right-hander came up through the minors as a starting pitcher, but hasn't made a professional start since the 2009 season.

Cardinals optioned RHP Mitchell Boggs to Triple-A Memphis.

Boggs has went from "next in line" for saves to the minor leagues in less than a month's time. It's a bit unfair considering his overall numbers, athough he does have a 9.00 ERA over his last six appearances. We think he'll be back soon enough.

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting that the Cardinals will option Mitch Boggs to Triple-A Memphis.

The club needs to open a roster spot for Skip Schumaker, but this move would certainly come as a surprise. Boggs was the club's first option to replace Ryan Franklin as closer, and while that didn't work out, his 3.66 ERA is certainly respectable. Dumping Franklin probably would have been the more prudent move, but the club undoubtedly doesn't want to eat the remaining money left on his contract at this point.

Mitchell Boggs has surrendered seven hits and five earned runs in five innings this month.

Boggs' struggles began when he was asked to begin saving games in mid-April and they've followed him back to his normal setup role. He looked sharp early on, but is no longer mowing batters down and can probably be shelved in fantasy leagues. Fernando Salas appears to be the flavor of the month right now in St. Louis.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa admitted what has become obvious in recent days -- he is going with a committee approach at closer.

Mitchell Boggs appeared to have a firm grip on the job after receiving and converting the first two save chances since Ryan Franklin's demotion, but three different relievers (Fernando Salas, Eduardo Sanchez and Trever Miller) have combined for four saves over the last four days, with Boggs pitching earlier in the game. "I don't think you should ever force a guy into it just because you want to [have a designated closer]," La Russa said. "I think clearly if you had the closer and everybody else's roles were to set up that guy, there's a certainty there when you go into the game. But what you don't want to do is anoint one of those guys, say, 'OK, you're the guy,' [when he's not the right choice]." Jason Motte and Miguel Batista could also get into the mix in what is sure to be a frustrating situation for fantasy owners.

Mitchell Boggs threw a scoreless eighth inning in St. Louis' 5-3, 11-inning win over the Braves on Friday.

St. Louis' supposed closer entered the game with the Cardinals trailing 3-2, so it appears safe to assume he has not locked down the role everyone thought was his. With St. Louis leading 5-3 in the 11th, manager Tony La Russa let Jason Motte record the first two outs before calling on lefty Trever Miller to retire Nate McLouth. TLR appears to be much serious about going with a committee than he was being given him credit for. Boggs remains the best own in St. Louis' bullpen until further notice, but be ready for more nights like tonight.

Cardinals manager Dave Duncan confirmed Sunday that Mitchell Boggs is the club's primary closer.

Finally some acknowledgement for the hard-throwing right-hander. Boggs picked up his third save in as many chances on Sunday night against the Reds and has a strong enough arsenal to retain ninth inning duties for a long time. "I think you present an opportunity and let results take you where they take you," Duncan said.

Mitchell Boggs recorded his third save in three chances with a scoreless ninth Sunday against the Reds.

Working with a three-run lead, Boggs gave up a one-out double to Joey Votto before striking out Jonny Gomes and Jay Bruce to end the game. He's going to keep getting most of the save chances the Cardinals generate.

Mitchell Boggs got four outs for his second save Friday against the Reds.

Thanks to a caught steals, Boggs got out of a jam created by Jason Motte in the eighth, and he then pitched a scoreless ninth after allowing a leadoff single to Drew Stubbs. He's 2-for-2 since stepping in for Ryan Franklin and looking very strong overall. Expect him to get the lion's share of the save opps for the Cards.

Mitchell Boggs converted the first save opportunity of the post Ryan Franklin era in St. Louis on Wednesday night, striking out one while allowing a single Ian Desmond in a 5-3 Cardinals victory over the Nationals.

Boggs reached 96 on the radar gun while featuring his usual (for 2011) nasty movement on his slider. It's a great sign for fantasy owners that have taken a flier on Boggs in recent days that he got the call over Miguel Batista this evening, and though manager Tony La Russa has not officially committed to him as his new closer, there's no longer much doubt he'll be given the first crack at solidifying the ninth inning for a team that has blown four saves in just 18 games this season.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said Monday that the club is only looking at internal options to replace closer Ryan Franklin.

Mitchell Boggs has been fantastic this season and has a closer-like arsenal that includes a high-90s fastball. He should be the first choice, but it's hard to make assumptions about a roster formed by unpredictable skipper Tony La Russa. Miguel Batista, for instance, might also get ninth inning looks. Jason Motte is another name worth monitoring. Eduardo Sanchez is an intriguing talent, but La Russa tends to shy away from youth.

With Ryan Franklin blowing his fourth save Sunday, Mitchell Boggs may be in line to take over the Cardinals' closer gig.

Boggs is currently riding a six inning scoreless streak after dealing a clean eighth today. While Jason Motte was thought to be Franklin's heir at one time, his velocity is down and manager Tony La Russa has turned to Boggs in close games. At this point, Boggs should be owned in all formats. If Boggs is already owned in your league, Miguel Batista could end up as a sleeper and worth a look in deep leagues.

Mitchell Boggs (back) is slated to make an appearance Saturday.

Boggs strained a muscle in his lower back last week but threw close to 20 pitches in a simulated inning Wednesday and felt good. Assuming he has no setbacks, he'll be fine for the start of the season and will help set up Ryan Franklin.

Mitchell Boggs (back) threw close to 20 pitches in a simulated inning Wednesday morning.

"It felt really good," said Boggs, who strained a muscle in his lower back next week. "My stuff felt really good. I didn't feel anything in my back. It was what we were looking for. I don't really know the plan. We'll see how I feel tomorrow but I would think I would be in a game pretty soon." Look for the hard-throwing right-hander to return to action before the end of the week.