3 Cardinals who won’t be on roster by Oct. 1 and why

The St. Louis Cardinals have played some lesser-known names in the season’s final weeks. We won’t be seeing those guys in October. 

The Cardinals have used the final weeks to allow players to get some rest while also testing out some guys who had successful seasons at AAA Memphis.

Dylan Carlson is returning to the Cardinals lineup Saturday after a rehabilitation game with the AAA Memphis Redbirds to build back up in preparation for a postseason run. Tyler O’Neill was placed on the injured list Saturday, making room for Carlson. Steven Matz is also getting some time this weekend with Memphis to build back his arm strength in preparation for returning to St. Louis as a long relief option out of the bullpen.

The Cardinals have missed these two players and look forward their return for the final stretch.

In the meantime, this has given St. Louis time to test out some players who had successful summers in Memphis.

While these players are with the team for these final weeks, it’s unlikely they will remain with the club in October.  Here are three players who will not be with the Cardinals as they enter the final month of play.

3. Alec Burleson will not be with the Cardinals in October

Burleson had an excellent summer for the Redbirds. It made you wonder why he wasn’t brought to St. Louis much sooner.

While with Memphis, Burleson slashed .331/.372/.532 with a .905 OPS, 20 home runs, and 87 RBI in 109 games. When he was called up to St. Louis on Sept. 7, there were some expectations that he could put up some big numbers and create a little competition in the outfield.

That didn’t happen.

Since joining St. Louis, he’s played in five games and is slashing .133/.188/.133 with a .321 OPS and a run scored. Not great, but as a corner outfielder, he does provide an option to spell Lars Nootbaar, Corey Dickerson, or Tyler O’Neill. Once O’Neill returns from the injured list, don’t count on seeing Burleson again this season.