Cardinals utilityman Yairo Munoz suffered a hamstring strain while running out an infield single on Saturday, manager Mike Shildt told MLB.com’s Anne Rogers and other media. According to Shildt, “it’s going to be a while” before Munoz returns to action, meaning an injured list placement looms for the 25-year-old.
Originally acquired from the Athletics as part of the December 2017 trade that sent Stephen Piscotty to Oakland, Munoz has been a valuable bench piece over his two Major League seasons, getting significant playing time at six different positions — shortstop, third base, second base, and all three outfield spots. Munoz’s versatility has made him a nice part-time fill-in for injured or resting players, plus a late-game substitute on double switches.
While his minor league hitting numbers were decent but unspectacular, Munoz did some damage after being promoted to the Cardinals in 2018, batting .276/.350/.413 over his first 329 big league plate appearances. Both the production and the playing time diminished in 2019, however, as Munoz hit .267/.298/.355 over 181 PA. This dropoff put Munoz into a battle for a bench spot this spring, especially since the also-versatile Tommy Edman delivered an upgraded version (.850 OPS in 349 PA) of Munoz’s 2018 numbers in his own 2019 rookie year.
Edman can also play all over the diamond, and while St. Louis has him penciled into regular outfield duty for now, plans could change should one of the Cards’ many young outfielders — i.e. Tyler O’Neill, Lane Thomas, or even top prospect Dylan Carlson — step up to win a job. Veteran Brad Miller was also signed to a $2MM deal and figures to factor into the backup mix, especially since Miller hits from the left side, unlike Munoz and many other of the Cards’ top bench candidates.
Ouch
Gives Edman more at bats and more playing time at 3rd and shortstop, which is a good deal.
How would he affect Edman’s playing time when he’s worse in every way? Munoz is terrible and should’ve been DFA’d last year.
Munoz needs time at AAA getting ABs instead of 3 ABs a week in STL.
blame that on douchecanoe manager
Munoz is below replacement level. There’s nothing to develop. He’s literally terrible defensively everywhere and a legit bad hitter.
Out of options Ravelo’s chances to make team just went up a little.
If Munoz could improve his glove work, he could be a solid infield guy with his arm and hitting abilities. Jed Jerko type player
Hitting abilities?
He’s a replacement level player because he can’t hit or field
yeah 8 42 and ,276 for a utility rookie is good
For real JFactor. It’s amazing how rank and file fans latch onto terrible utility guys as personal faves, but constantly rag on Marp if he has one bad AB on a given day. Munoz is terrible in every facet.
Seems like Dylan Carlson has earned the open left field position as much as anyone. It sure appears he is the real deal. Although, I am sure he will start the season in triple AAA. They have an awful lot of players competing for two spots.
GO CARDS!!!!
The Cardinals may well be better served in eating the contracts of Brett Cecil, Derrick Fowler and Matt Carpenter rather than spending that same amount of their total contracts remaining to get better performance from better players on other teams at their positions. The Cardinals already have “Young” better players on their team now at their positions!!! Carlson, Gorman, and Edman, just to mention 3. Plus several other young pitchers who are better than Cecil. (As a matter. of fact, all of the young pitchers are better than Cecil!). In the long term of the season, Carpenter, Fowler and Cecil will under perform as usual because of their age. Let’s the kids play every day!!!!
Carpenter is a legitimate bounce back candidate, especially after watching how good his opposite field swing has been this Spring. If he can reduce the extreme shifts against him by dropping balls into left more often, he’s going to be able to find some holes on the right.
Fowler is a fourth outfielder at this point, but I think he gets right until Carlson comes up in April. He won’t be starting by May at the latest.
Cecil is as good as gone if he doesn’t accept a minor league assignment. Webb, Miller, Cabrera, KK, and Gomber are all better than him so there is no room.
Who cares what happens with Cecil? He’s at best the 3rd lefty in the pen, if healthy. He’ll get cut or be put on the DL. All MLB contracts are guaranteed, so just dumping Carp would be really stupid on its face. Edman hasn’t proven jack squat. He’s certainly earned some extended look, but he’s not a bona fide starter anywhere. I think he should definitely platoon with Carp against most LHP, since Edman is much better from the right side, but just handing him the position is a terrible idea. Carlson should start at AAA barring injury, as there’s plenty of guys already on the 40 man deserving an extended look. Fowler is fine as a 4th OF or platoon guy to start with. Better to let him recoup value to be able to later move a portion of his contract via trade.
Sportswriter Rick Hummel stated in his article March 2nd…. that the Cardinals will not let an $18 million contracted player sit on the bench. He stated to mark his word….both Carpenter and Fowler will be in the Opening Day starting line up.
If, and I said if…..”If” it is obvious that there are current players on the 26 man roster … who can play 3rd base just as proficient or better than Carpenter. Hit better to all fields than Carpenter. Run the bases faster and steal bases better than Carpenter…… Why wouldn’t they start opening day instead of Carpenter??? Rick Hummel says $18 million dollars out ways starting a player who is over all better than The Carpenter of 2020. Not The Carpenter of 2011-2017. So…. according to Rick Hummel …. the highest contracts will be the starting line up … No matter what.
Munoz is weak! Utilities talk here.
Munoz is a prom night dumpster baby. Cardinals are smarter than this.
“And we’re taking a stroll!”