Peralta (thumb) is expected to be activated from the disabled list Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Peralta has yet to play this season after suffering a thumb injury early in spring training, but he appears finally ready to make his 2016 debut. The 34-year-old had a career year in 2015, hitting .299/.345/.478 with 21 home runs and 86 RBI, and will look to repeat that success. With Aledmys Diaz having a breakout season, Peralta could see some time at third base, while Matt Carpenter shifts to second base, in order to keep as many hot bats in the lineup. The infield playing time should sort itself out in the coming weeks.

Peralta (thumb) is expected to be activated from the DL on Tuesday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He hasn't exactly fared well in six rehab games to this point (3-for-15), but the Cardinals seem to think Peralta will only need a couple more games to knock off the remaining rust. General manager John Mozeliak suggested Friday that Peralta could slot in at third base upon his return, with Aledmys Diaz sticking at short and Matt Carpenter moving to second base.

Peralta cut his thumb while opening a box Saturday and will have his timetable pushed back as a result, ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Peralta has yet to see action in the majors this season because of a torn ligament in his left thumb that required surgery. He certainly went the wrong direction with the most recent event, as he's expected to require three or four days off after receiving three stitches. The veteran shortstop remains without a definitive timetable, but he could reportedly move up to Triple-A Memphis when he resumes his rehab according to manager Mike Matheny.

Peralta (thumb) will continue his rehab assignment with Low-A Peoria on Wednesday, then head to Double-A Springfield this weekend, FOX Sports Midwest's Jim Hayes reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals will reassess where Peralta is in his rehab after the weekend run with Springfield, and it sounds like he could be nearing an activation from the DL. There are a lot of moving pieces in the Cardinals' infield at the moment, but Peralta will find a role, it just may not be the everyday role his owners were banking on when they drafted him.

Peralta (thumb) went 1-for-3 with a double and scored a run in his rehab start with Triple-A Peoria on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Although he only played six innings, this was an encouraging outing for Peralta. He is now 1-for-7 from the plate in three rehab games but seems to be on track to return to the majors in early June.

Peralta (thumb) will start a rehab assignment with Low-A Peoria on Friday and will play both shortstop and third base, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It seems that Peralta is continuing to progress very well through his rehab process, although bit does come as a bit of a surprise that he'll work out at both shortstop and third base. This makes it seem like the Cardinals may want to keep Aledmys Diaz in the starting lineup even when Peralta returns, so Peralta may have to appear at some positions other than shortstop to make that happen. Even if this appears to be more of a vote of confidence for Diaz, it actually helps out Peralta significantly, as it could mean that he could gain more positional eligibility after he returns to the Cardinals lineup. As long as he can return to his previous form as one of the best-hitting shortstops in the league, he could become even more valuable on the fantasy side of things if he continues to play at positions beside shortstop.

Peralta (thumb) took on-field batting practice Wednesday for the first time since surgery, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This is an extremely encouraging sign for the shortstop, as it seems his thumb is progressing to the point where he can get back to game action relatively soon. Pair this news with the thought that he could begin a rehab assignment next week, and it seems like Peralta has a chance to be back by early June.

Peralta (thumb) could begin a rehab assignment as early as next week, according to Cardinals GM John Mozeliak on KMOX 1120 AM St. Louis.

EDGE Analysis

Peralta was just cleared to start swinging a bat Tuesday, and is expected to be given permission to perform all baseball activities in the near future. Once that happens, it won't be long before he's getting at-bats in live game scenarios. Fortunately for the Cardinals, they have no need to rush Peralta, as his replacement Aledmys Diaz has slashed .377/.410/.667 with six home runs in his absence.

Peralta (thumb) was cleared Tuesday to start singing a bat, MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports.

EDGE Analysis

He had a follow-up visit with a doctor and is now cleared to participate in fielding drills and swing a bat. His next step will be to hit off a tee and then face live pitching before going out on a rehab assignment. An early June return is in sight for Peralta, at which point the Cardinals will have some difficult decisions to make with the rest of the team's middle infielders.

Peralta's recovery from thumb surgery is still going well and he could begin a rehab assignment in as little as two weeks the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Peralta would likely need at least a week of rehab games before being activated but that would still put him on track for an early June return. The Cardinals may have to get creative with their lineups in order to keep the Peralta's replacement, Aledmys Diaz, in their everyday lineup.