Cardinals' Wacha exits with strained left oblique

The St. Louis Cardinals could be without one of their best pitchers for an extended period after right-hander Michael Wacha left Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies with a left oblique strain.

While the severity of the strain is unknown, Wacha experienced a significant dip in his velocity in the fourth and left the game later in the inning favoring his left side. In 3 2/3 innings, he allowed three runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out a pair.

Wacha, who flirted with a no-hitter earlier in the month, had been putting together a fine season on the mound before the injury. Entering Wednesday, he was 8-2 with a 3.24 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 69 strikeouts over 80 2/3 innings.

In what appeared to be a source of depth earlier in the season, the Cardinals are starting to look thin in the starting rotation. If Wacha requires a stint on the disabled list, he'll join fellow hurlers Alex Reyes and Adam Wainwright on the shelf.

The Cardinals do have several options in Triple-A who could fill in should the need arise.