St. Louis, MO (Best E Casino) - St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Lohse was a late scratch Sunday as the club is reportedly close to signing the right-hander to a contract extension.

Lohse, who posted a career-high with 15 wins this season, agreed to terms on a one-year deal with St. Louis prior to the season. He is scheduled to meet with doctors on Sunday as a possible prelude to the deal being finalized and announced.

Right-hander Brad Thompson will get the start in place of Lohse against the Reds. Thompson is 5-3 this season with 5.13 earned-run average in 25 games (five starts).

In eight major league seasons, Lohse sports a 78-80 mark with a 4.67 ERA in 251 games (228 starts) with Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Minnesota and St. Louis.