Jordan Walker injury: Cardinals top prospect leaves spring training game

St. Louis Cardinals prospect Jordan Walker left the team’s spring training game on Saturday with an apparent injury.

Jordan Walker has been the story of spring training for the St. Louis Cardinals. Walker, who entered the season as the team’s top prospect, is making a play for a roster spot on the major-league team despite fairly limited experience.

The Cards outfield is crowded, so there’s no guarantee Walker can make the bigs out of spring training, or even this season. But he’s giving it his best shot — or at least he was.

Walker was removed from St. Louis’ spring training contest against the Houston Astros on Saturday. Walker had an awkward slide early in the game, and did not trot out to the outfield shortly thereafter.

Cardinals: Jordan Walker injured in spring training

Walker’s achievements this spring include a single off Gerrit Cole. While it didn’t look like much to some, Cole was particularly impressed considering it was one of his better pitches.

“It was a good swing and it was a good pitch [because] it was a borderline ball, I think,” Cole said, per MLB.com. “I threw him three [fastballs] in the first at-bat, and the third one really got in on him. He came out really ready to protect that part of the zone [in the second at-bat], and he put a good swing on it. One of the better swings of the day, for sure.”

If healthy, Walker is expected to make his debut this season. Considering he’s already lacing singles off Cy Young-caliber pitchers, it shouldn’t be too much of an adjustment.

St. Louis called Walker’s exit precautionary, but until he’s officially declared okay to go in future action, it’s something Cards fans should keep an eye on. It could impact where Walker starts the season — whether that be the minors of in St. Louis.