ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals are giving lefty Jaime Garcia his first start of the season on Thursday.
Garcia had a setback in spring training from thoracic outlet surgery, performed to alleviate numbness and tingling in his pitching arm and hand. He threw six innings in a minor league rehab start this weekend, and St. Louis needed a starter after Tyler Lyons faltered Saturday.
The 28-year-old Garcia appeared in just 16 games combined the last two seasons. He was a 13-game winner each of his first two seasons in the rotation in 2010 and 2011.
Garcia will be starting against the Mets in New York.
St. Louis also added bullpen depth Sunday, recalling right-hander Sam Tuivailala from Triple-A Memphis.
Lyons, who made three starts in the slot formerly held by injured ace Adam Wainwright, was optioned to Memphis, a day after lasting just 3 2-3 innings in a loss to Detroit.
The 22-year-old Tuivailala worked two innings of relief in a 14-inning victory over Pittsburgh on May 3 and appeared in two games last September. He was 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA and three saves in three chances in 12 games at Memphis.
Lyons is 0-0 with a 5.54 ERA, striking out 17 in 13 innings but also surrendering 18 hits.