Nick Punto (forearm) went 3-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored Tuesday in his second minor league rehab game with Double-A Springfield.

Punto will continue to serve as the designated hitter for now until he's ready to play the field. He's currently working his way back from a right forearm flexor strain. He won't be rushed back to the majors.

Nick Punto (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield Monday.

Punto will serve as a DH for several games before playing the field. Coming back from a forearm flexor strain, he could possibly be back for the Cardinals' road trip that begins a week from Tuesday, but that's not Punto's focus right now. "You can't get too far ahead of yourself thinking about it," he said.

Nick Punto (forearm) is expecting to begin a minor league rehab assignment next week.

Punto has been on the disabled list since the middle of May with a forearm flexor strain and has played in only 25 total games this season. The utility infielder is aiming to return before the end of June.

Nick Punto (forearm) swung a bat Thursday for the first time since landing on the disabled list.

He's yet to begin throwing, however, and his progress remains slower than what he'd like. "It's a little bit slower than I'd like," he said. "Still fairly sore." Cardinals manager Tony La Russa doesn't expect Punto back soon. "I think he's improving, but it's not imminent," La Russa said.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Nick Punto's (forearm) recovery has been "slow" and that the utilityman is still unable to throw.

"That's a big hit," La Russa said, "but we're playing around it." Punto might need a short rehab assignment before being activated, so we would anticipate that he's still a couple weeks away.

Cardinals placed INF Nick Punto on the 15-day disabled list with a right forearm flexor strain.

Another tough break for Punto, who began the season on the disabled list after sports hernia surgery. The Cardinals will likely push ahead with some combination of Allen Craig, Daniel Descalso and Tyler Greene at second base, at least until Skip Schumaker is ready to return from the disabled list.

Nick Punto is unavailable to start Tuesday due to right elbow soreness.

He could come off the bench and should be ready to start, if needed, in a day or two. It's not something that will force him to the DL.

Nick Punto returned to action on Tuesday May 3.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Nick Punto (hamstring) has been cleared to do more in Tuesday's game.

Punto was unavailable Monday after leaving Sunday's game with tightness in his left hamstring. He's probably available for defense Tuesday and should be ready to start, if needed, soon.

Nick Punto left Sunday's game in the third inning with tightness in his left hamstring.

The Cardinals are saying it's a precautionary move, so consider him day-to-day. Daniel Descalso replaced Punto at second base.

Nick Punto (sports hernia surgery) did not feel any stiffness on Thursday morning after starting in the second game of a double-header on Wednesday.

As a result, he was in the starting lineup again yesterday afternoon. According to Cardinals beat writer Derrick Goold, Punto should see "extensive" time at second base during Skip Schumaker's absence. Hardly surprising since manager Tony La Russa usually prefers veterans over young players, though it would likely behoove St. Louis to give both Tyler Greene and Daniel Descalso extended looks at second while Schumaker is out.

Nick Punto is starting at second base for the Cardinals in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Punto was activated from the disabled list Tuesday and drew a walk in his first plate appearance as a Cardinal in the first game of the doubleheader. He didn't have any rehab at-bats after recovering from sports hernia surgery, so he figures to be rusty. Of course, he's not much of a hitter, regardless. Daniel Descalso is starting at third base while David Freese sits.

Cardinals activated INF Nick Punto from the 15-day disabled list.

Punto missed the first couple weeks of the regular season due to late-winter sports hernia surgery. He did not go out on a minor league rehab assignment and may be limited in the early going, but the scrappy veteran should eventually be able to serve as an active utility infielder for the Cards.

Nick Punto is likely to be activated before Tuesday's game against the Nationals.

Punto is still making his way back from sports hernia surgery and probably won't see much action over the next couple days, but he should be ready to serve as an active utility infielder by the weekend. Skip Schumaker will be placed on the disabled list to clear a roster spot.

Nick Punto (sports hernia surgery) could begin playing in extended spring training games as soon as next Monday.

Punto will head to Florida this week to begin working out. He'll likely go out on a minor league rehab assignment from there, but it's possible he could be back before the end of this month as long as he doesn't have any setbacks.

Nick Punto (sports hernia surgery) has resumed hitting and taking infield practice with his teammates.

"I'm feeling good," said Punto, who underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia in February. "I'm doing baseball activities every day." He'll likely need a minor league rehab assignment before he's able to return from the disabled list. It's possible he could be back before the end of the month.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak hopes Nick Punto (sports hernia surgery) can return in late April.

Mozeliak had indicated previously that Punto might be ahead of his timetable, and a late April return would mean he'd be back at least a week earlier than originally expected. Punto will back up at third, second and shortstop once he's healthy.

Cardinals placed INF Nick Punto on the 15-day disabled, list retroactive to March 22, recovering from sports hernia surgery.

Punto underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia in February and just recently resumed taking batting practice. He hopes to be back sometime in May.

Nick Punto played catch from a distance of 60 feet and hit off a tee Tuesday for the first time since undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia in February.

"I think for me it's a huge step," said Punto. "When you get on the field and you start doing baseball activities, you start to feel like an athlete and you start to feel good. It was just a few swings off the tee but it's a start and it's nice to be able to make these progressions and not having any bad days right now." Punto was expected to miss 8-12 weeks following surgery, so it's possible he could return sometime in May.

Nick Punto returned to Cardinals camp Monday following surgery to repair a sports hernia.

The scrappy infielder is expected to miss at least the next two months while in recovery mode. "It's embarrassing," Punto said Monday. "It's embarrassing because you're the new guy at school. You can't wait to get here and meet your new teammates and go through the grind with them." He will serve as a utility infielder once healthy.