The Cardinals announced Tuesday that center fielder Harrison Bader is headed to the 10-day injured list after being diagnosed with a hairline fracture on one of his ribs. Bader exited last night’s game in the third inning after very nearly making an outstanding diving catch on a sinking liner off the bat of Nick Madrigal (video link). However, he ultimately landed with his ribcage on the baseball after it kicked off the heel of his glove. The Cardinals have recalled first baseman/outfielder John Nogowski to take his spot on the active roster.
Bader’s placement on the IL comes at a time when the Cardinals’ outfield depth is already compromised. Tyler O’Neill is on the shelf with a fractured finger at the moment, while Triple-A outfielders Austin Dean and Scott Hurst were both recently placed on the injured list. That slate of injuries likely shifts Dylan Carlson over to center field, with a combination of Justin Williams, Lane Thomas and Nogowski seeing action in the corners.
This is the second IL stint already on the young season for Bader, who opened the season on the shelf due to a forearm injury. He’s gotten out to a .219/.301/.411 start to his season through 83 plate appearances. It’s the same blend of low batting average and decent power we’ve seen from Hader in recent years, but with a greatly reduced strikeout rate standing out as a key difference. Bader entered the 2021 season with a career 29.1 percent punchout rate, but he’s fanned just 13 times in his 83 trips (15.7 percent).
Bader’s contact rate has also improved in 2021, while both his swinging-strike rate and called-strike rate have declined. At least through his first 22 games, he’s looked to have a better recognition of the strike zone and given some inklings that the drop in strikeouts is legitimate. Should that prove to be the case, it’s quite likely his overall batting line will tick up. He’s currently being plagued by a .211 average on balls in play that is nearly 100 points lower than his career mark. He’s also making less hard contact than in recent seasons, so it’s not all good news, but the generally improved approach is certainly still of note.
This website name is extremely misleading. MLB Injury Report would be better.
PS – I’m not bashing the website, but more poking at the obscene amount of injuries this year. It’s getting tough to watch.
Lol outfielder John nogowski, ok
Hey, he’s played 14 games in LF… over 7 years. If Dom Smith can play left then anyone can. Should have at least referred to him as 1B/OF though.
I remember the Matt Adams left field experiment. No, not everyone can play outfield.
Yeah — it was intended to say first baseman/outfielder (updated to do so now), but the Cards did indeed announce him as a 1B/OF.
I saw this play happen live, it looked extremely painful. Hope he recovers quickly.
I was at the game and didn’t look serious at the time, but ribs don’t heal in 10 days in my experience
Mandatory “shoulda signed Refsnyder” comment.
Does this fill the 40? Or is another move needed?
I would give the starting role to Nogowski over Williams. Give him lots of at bats and let him work it out. There’s a very good consistent hitter in there somewhere with him, just need to get it out somehow, and just what this sluggish offense needs right now.
Call up Nootbar and let “Nootbar Mania” begin!
Lars is doing well at triple a, and he cant be worse than lane and William’s combined 178 avg and 621 ops lol
I was thinking the same thing. Lars is only 21 and didn’t play at all last year and wasn’t at the Alt site. Williams needs to go get his head fixed somewhere besides the Cardinals starting line up. I believe Tyler O’Neil is close to coming back. Austin Dean got hurt at the wrong time. He would be getting his opportunity if he wasn’t on the IL too.
This wouldn’t be that big of a deal if ONeill, for the second time this year, didn’t get put on the 10 day DL with a 5 day injury. Maybe it’s time to stop doing crap like that Mozeliak.
Which finger have you broken that healed in 5 days?
What finger did he break?
He’s healthy right now bud. Look it up.
He broke the middle finger on his left hand
Broke his finger and it healed in 3 days sure. Like I said he’s healthy today right now.
On the bright side Carp went 0-3 with a K and 2 errors at 1B last night, so we have depth.
But on a positive note, kudos to Edmundo Sosa for making the most of an opportunity. This guy is playing like he belongs.
Its gonna be a mixed bag the rest of the year. But on the bright side carp, miller, cecil, fowler, probably martinez will all be off the payroll next year. Cards will have money to spend(if they do is another story). I’m at least glad they now know lane and William’s and webb are garbage and can move on now or at the end of the season. Big changes next year
It’s about time for Mo to resign Carpenter for 2 more years and buy Williams out of his rookie contract….
it seems like every team in the mlb is missing a majority of their starting outfielders
To date, 17 teams have at least one OF on the IL.
Maybe the Cards can borrow an outfielder from the Reds. Oh wait, that’s what they do in soccer.