ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Jaime Garcia threw 70 pitches during an extended spring training outing and could begin a rehab assignment Sunday. Garcia is trying to come back after a setback in his rehab from thoracic outlet surgery in spring training. General manager John Mozeliak said Garcia told him he felt a lot stronger and was “extremely optimistic,” but he wanted to see how Garcia felt today (Wednesday).

Garcia and fellow lefty Marco Gonzales are potential options to fill the rotation spot of ace Adam Wainwright, out for the season with a torn left Achilles. Gonzales is coming back from an early season shoulder injury and is set to pitch Saturday for Triple-A Memphis. Mozeliak said Gonzales would likely be on a pitch count.