The Cardinals have activated shortstop Aledmys Diaz from the 15-day disabled list, per a club announcement. Diaz went on the DL on Aug. 2 with a hairline fracture in his left thumb.
[RELATED: Updated Cardinals Depth Chart]
Before suffering the injury, the 26-year-old Diaz was in the midst of one of the majors’ best rookie seasons. The Cuba native burst on the scene with a .423/.453/.732 batting line and a measly four strikeouts in 75 April plate appearances, and while the opening month was high-water mark prior to fracturing his thumb, his steady play continued through July. On the whole, Diaz has batted .312/.376/.518 in 401 PAs, swatted 14 homers and posted an outstanding 13.5 percent strikeout rate. While Diaz’s work in the field has left plenty to be desired (16 errors, minus-8 Ultimate Zone Rating, minus-3 Defensive Runs Saved), his bat has made him an eminently valuable commodity – which no one expected when the Cardinals designated him for assignment in July 2015.
In theory, Diaz’s return should be a welcome one for the 75-66 Redbirds, who are a half-game up on the Mets for the second wild-card spot in the National League. However, the club’s middle infield actually fared well without him, as Jedd Gyorko, Kolten Wong and Greg Garcia have each enjoyed productive seasons. It’s unknown how manager Mike Matheny will deploy the group going forward. For now, Diaz isn’t in the Cardinals’ lineup against the Brewers on Sunday.
“Just being healthy isn’t necessarily the answer to everything right now,” Matheny said Saturday (via Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch). “We also have to get his timing right, get him confident with how he feels at the plate.”
I am curious to see which position players, and especially infielders, the Cardinals will take with them to the wild card game and the rest of the postseason. They have a lot of eligible players. Peralta and Wong have been the worst of the bunch so far…
Um they haven’t even won the Wild Card lol. Don’t talk postseason till they actually get in
I wanted to write ‘… if the make it’… somewhere, but that somehow got lost. Anyway, it’s a good problem to have.
Oh ok lol. Yah, this season they’ll have to earn it, with the Mets, Pirates, Giants and Marlins all breathing down their neck
I do, just cuz they’re well behind doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Heck Cards proved that in 2011. I never count out teams like the Pirates, and the Marlins could surprise, you never know
Cards won’t make nor deserve to make postseason. Wong has been playing well lately. His OBP is creeping up as his SLG% as well…
one would think having many quality players wuld be a plus, but MM turns it into a minus.
Cards will be in the WC, NLDS, NLCS, and WS
If the Cards are going to make it CardFan4ever then they will need to beat the Cubs and the giants head to head. Tough schedule the rest of the way
Wong has been playing very well of late and their best defender on the infield outside of Yadi, I’d bet he makes the team. He’s seemed to find his groove.
they aren’t going to make it to the wild card game. Mets and giants are going to the wild card game.
Ever through all
Of his coaching blunders, irregular positioning of players, pitching pitchers into the ground, playing favoritism toward his old friends playing time and line up position, using unneeded double switches, inefficient use of his bullpen, etc., etc., etc. It’s been tough to fire MM and his staff because they’ve made the playoffs inspite of them. Each year, his questionable decisions, actions and line-up changes have gotten worse, as has his demeanor. Resenting anyone who questions his game decisions. It’s time for the Cardinals to cut ties with Matheney and his coaching staff. Put Oquendo as manager and let him
Select his own staff. If not this, try a new GM for next season, then if that doesn’t work, then fire MM and his staff. I’ve been a fan of the Cardinals since the 50’s. MM is worse than Solly Hemus in the late 50’s.
I agree with you on all of it, Matheny, Lilliquist & Mabry all need to go! When LaRussa Retired Cardinals should of hired T. Franconia or J. Oquendo but they hired Matheny cause he was the cheapest option and felt sorry for him cause hes bankrupt! I really think Matheny still has the memory lose/issues due to all of the concussions he received when he playes, cause he keeps making the same mistakes over and over again!
Amen!!! Team hitting hasn’t been the same since McGwire and the players he had influence on as they have been depleted from the team. Lilliquist is a joke! Absolutely totally inferior to Dave Duncan as far as keeping pitchers healthy and successful rehabs.
Since Diaz has been activated from the DL Matheny has only had him in the lineup 2 times and took him out early in one game, Matheny had ruined a talented team!