The St. Louis Cardinals are in the midst of a six-game road trip with an opportunity to re-insert themselves into the playoff race. While this seems unlikely, there is still a chance and the Cardinals could be welcoming back some additional reinforcements for that push.

Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado, and John King are set to begin rehab assignments

The Double-A Springfield Cardinals are building towards the Texas League playoffs after going on an amazing run to end the month of August. As first-half champions, the Cardinals are already set for the postseason so there is little left to play for before the postseason begins next week. Because of that (and other prospects needing playing time in Memphis), the major league Cardinals are using Springfield as their rehab location for some of their ailing veterans.

Infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan is the biggest name heading to Springfield. The Cardinals All-Star has been on the injured list for a groin injury that actually stems from a toe issue he has been dealing with for a parts of the season. Recovery has been slow but he finally appears to be feeling healthy enough to work his way back to St. Louis by the end of the week, assuming his lower body responds well to game action.

Potentially joining Donovan in the Springfield clubhouse is future Hall of Fame third baseman Nolan Arenado. The defensive wizard was placed on the IL with a shoulder issue quickly after the trade deadline and there was speculation that this would end his tenure with the Cardinals because of his desire to win and his poor play for much of this season. However, Arenado continuously expressed his expectation that he would return to St. Louis at some point this year and, if his batting practice session goes well, he will head to Double-A to determine his availability for the rest of the year.

Finally, lefty reliever John King will pitch with the minor league squad on Wednesday as he works his way back from a back strain, his second injury since the deadline. King, 30, was the only other southpaw besides JoJo Romero in the Cardinals bullpen for the vast majority of the season even with his struggles. For the season, King has a 5.18 ERA as he mostly filled a mop up role and he has not had a clean inning of work since May 28.