3 Cardinals who won’t be on the roster July 1
With several big names set to return in the coming weeks, it’s safe to say some St. Louis Cardinals may not be on the roster soon.
The St. Louis Cardinals have a couple of key players set to return to the line-up soon and with a number of minor league call ups making a huge impression, there are some players on the Cards’ current roster that will be bidding the club adieu.
Paul DeJong was sent to AAA Memphis to find himself again and seems to have done just that as he’s hitting .225/.275/.423 with a .698 OPS. He has 16 hits, five doubles, six walks, a stolen base, and 16 RBI.
After a slow start, Tyler O’Neill was placed on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement. The Cardinals look to send him on a rehab assignment to AAA Memphis as they play in Charlotte this weekend. Starter Jack Flaherty may appear in a rehab outing in AA Springfield soon as well.
Lots of great news on players getting on track to return to St. Louis but it makes you wonder how the team will look in the next few weeks. Who could be missing?
Corey Dickerson
Dickerson was signed as the lefty option designated hitter. He’s been less than impressive though, hitting .183/.238/.215 with an OPS of .453 with three doubles and nine RBI in 36 games. He’s also played some games in left field.
O’Neill will look to reclaim his position in left field where he has two consecutive Gold Glove-winning seasons, not to mention his production at the plate. Hopefully, his rehab appearance with Memphis will put him well on his way to returning.
Right fielder Dylan Carlson should be returning from the injured list to continue the trend he was riding at the plate. Prior to landing on the injured list, he was hitting .247/.291/.363 with an OPS of .654, nine doubles, a triple, two home runs, and 11 RBI in 39 games.
With the emergence of Juan Yepez, Lars Nootbaar, and Brendan Donovan as outstanding options for manager Oliver Marmol, someone is about to get squeezed out and that could very well be Dickerson.
Yepez can be the designated hitter and back-up in left field or first base. Nootbaar could easily fill in as designated hitter or back up in any outfield position. Brendan Donovan has become a favorite of Marmol and can play right field as well as pretty much anywhere in the infield he is asked – appearing at third base, shortstop, second base, and first base.
Marmol also hasn’t hesitated to use Albert Pujols no matter the situation.
This pretty much squeezes out Dickerson, who the Cardinals signed to a one-year deal worth $5 million. It would not be surprising to see him released.