Lynn (1-0) got the win over the Athletics on Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out one over seven innings.

EDGE Analysis

Lynn secured his first win as a member of the Cardinals since 2017, with the only damage against him being a fifth-inning solo home run from Kyle McCann. Tuesday marked just the second time in Lynn's lengthy career he picked up a win while striking out one batter or zero. He's allowed one earned run or fewer in three of four starts and currently owns a 2.18 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB in 20.2 innings. Lynn projects to take the mound again next week in a home start against the Diamondbacks.

Lynn didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Phillies, allowing two unearned runs on one hit and four walks over five innings. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

After allowing a pair of unearned runs in the first inning, Lynn held the Phillies without a hit over his final four frames, though the Cardinals ultimately couldn't provide enough run support off Aaron Nola to get Lynn a victory. The veteran right-hander has yet to pitch into the sixth inning through three starts this season, though he's held opponents to four earned runs in his first 13.2 innings while striking out 18. Lynn's currently in line to face the A's on the road in his next outing.

Lynn did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk over 4.2 innings versus the Marlins. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

Lynn was sharp early, blanking Miami through his first three innings. However, he'd give up a leadoff home run to Jake Burger in the fourth before Josh Bell and Burger tacked on three more runs with back-to-back blasts in the fifth. Lynn struggled with the long ball last year, allowing a league-most 44 homers while struggling to a 5.73 ERA across 32 starts between the Dodgers and White Sox. The veteran right-hander has given up four runs on 12 hits through 8.2 innings in his first two starts this season.

Lynn didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Dodgers, finishing with five strikeouts while allowing four hits and one walks over four scoreless frames.

EDGE Analysis

Lynn looked like he could be in for a long night when Los Angeles began the game by lacing three straight singles off him, but the veteran hurler bounced back by striking out Will Smith, Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernandez to escape the jam. The Dodgers put two more runners on base with one out in the second frame, but Lynn again got outs under pressure to emerge unscathed. The right-hander retired the final eight batters he faced but had his momentum stopped by a rain delay, and he didn't return to the mound after the interruption, having already thrown 70 pitches. Though Lynn certainly had some troubles Saturday, this was a positive season debut given the outcome, and it helps instill some hope that he can bounce back from last year's rough campaign during which he posted a career-worst 5.73 ERA.

Lynn is penciled in to make his Grapefruit League debut Friday versus the Nationals, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lynn has been working on the back fields so far, giving the Cardinals an opportunity to evaluate other pitchers in spring games. Lynn will don the Cardinals' jersey for the first time since 2017 after signing a one-year deal with the team in November. The right-hander endured the worst season of his career in 2023, posting a 5.73 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with 44 home runs allowed over 183.2 innings between the White Sox and the Dodgers. He'll play most of 2024 at age 37, so it's unclear how much he'll be able to bounce back, though he'll at least have his home games in a pitcher-friendly stadium.

The Cardinals signed Lynn to a one-year, $10 million contract with a $12 million club option for 2025 on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lynn could net as much as $13 million in 2024 if he hits his contract incentives, and there's a $1 million buyout on his 2025 option. It's a homecoming for the burly right-hander, as Lynn was drafted by the Cardinals and spent his first six major-league seasons in St. Louis. The 36-year-old finished the 2023 season with a 5.73 ERA over 32 starts and yielded a whopping 44 home runs, but he also had a 191:67 K:BB over 183.2 frames. The Cardinals will be hoping the home run ball becomes less of an issue at spacious Busch Stadium.

The Dodgers declined Lynn's $18 million option for 2024, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lynn will receive a $1 million buyout instead and is now a free agent. Ardaya notes that it's still possible the Dodgers wind up re-signing Lynn, but they would do so at a lower salary. The big right-hander posted a 5.73 ERA and 191:67 K:BB over 183.2 innings in 2023, serving up a league-high 44 home runs in the process. Lynn should still have a decent market this winter from clubs viewing him as a bounce-back candidate -- from 2019 through 2022, the 36-year-old delivered a 3.42 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 10.01 K/9 over 571 innings.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that Lynn is a "safe bet" to start Game 3 of the NLDS versus the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ryan Pepiot will also pitch, perhaps in a piggyback-type situation, but Lynn will take the hill first for the Dodgers. The burly right-hander was inconsistent for the Dodgers after coming over at the trade deadline but did finish with quality starts in three of his last four outings.

Lynn (bereavement list) threw four innings in a sim game Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Dave Roberts noted that the earliest Lynn could pitch in the NLDS against Arizona would be Game 3, but he didn't commit to using Lynn as a starter. Gavin Stone also threw a sim game Thursday, though Ryan Pepiot would be the likeliest candidate to take the ball if Lynn were passed over.

The Dodgers placed Lynn on the bereavement list Saturday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lynn will be held out for three-to-seven games as he tend to more important matters. Victor Gonzalez was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill Lynn's roster spot.