Kyle McClellan injury: Cardinals pitcher ahead of rehab timetable

Already ahead of his rehab schedule after having shoulder surgery in July, injured St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Kyle McClellan is on track to resume throwing as soon as November, according to a report by Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.

The 28-year-old right-hander made 16 appearances with St. Louis this season before being shut down with a frayed labrum and split shoulder capsule in May, and faces an uncertain future as an arbitration-eligible player who will have to take a wait-and-see approach with his career. As far as his recovery goes, however, the veteran reliever continues to improve faster than anticipated in his bid to prove that he's far from an injury risk.

"It's gone as good as it can go," McClellan said. "Strength-wise, I feel strong, I feel good. Pain-wise, there's just a very small area where I feel it a little bit. Now we're doing strengthening in this area so that should eliminate it."

Assuming all goes to plan, McClellan would then take December off and resume throwing again in January to prepare for spring training. Though he is unlikely to see comparable money to his rather high $2.5 million deal from this season, the Florissant, Mo. native desperately wants to stay with the team that drafted him.

"This is an organization I've been with for 11 years," said McClellan. "This is all I know. But at the same time, if I'm healthy, I know I can go out and pitch and compete anywhere."