Lynn underwent Tommy John surgery earlier Tuesday and will miss the entire 2016 season, the Cardinals announced.
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As the No. 4 starter late in the year behind John Lackey, Jaime Garcia and Michael Wacha, Lynn had another solid season for St. Louis, finishing with a 3.03 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 175 1/3 innings.
It’s a tough situation once again for the Cards after Wainwright missed most of the 2015 season with a torn Achilles. With Lackey a free agent and Lynn down for 2016, the Cardinals may be forced to add a starter this winter to join Wainwright, Garcia, Wacha and Carlos Martinez.
Lynn, 28, owns a career 3.37 ERA in five seasons with the Cardinals while compiling a 61-39 record.