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JUPITER, Fla. — Stressing that his lingering wrist ache is “extra irritation than structural [damage],” Cardinals middle fielder Tommy Edman stays assured that he’ll quickly be again on a path towards a comeback, regardless of his baseball actions being shut down for a second time in as many weeks.
Edman, who was projected to be the Cardinals beginning middle fielder, went for a collection of second and third opinions on the right wrist that required surgery in October. Edman’s return has been slowed by lingering ache and swelling within the wrist — to the purpose that he has but to hit pitching of any sort and the switch-hitter has been unable to swing the bat right-handed.
Regardless of not realizing precisely what the subsequent steps might be in his rehabilitation course of, Edman mentioned he was inspired by the medical analysis he acquired on Friday.
“We’ve gotten a few opinions and there’s nothing conflicting,” Edman mentioned on Saturday earlier than leaving the Cardinals advanced following St. Louis’ 9-3 loss to New York. “We’re nonetheless attempting to determine some issues, however a minimum of there’s a path ahead now.”
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak admitted on Friday that Edman was “uncertain” to be prepared for Opening Day on March 28 when the Cardinals face the retooled Dodgers in Los Angeles. The Edman information got here a day after St. Louis decided that projected beginning left fielder Lars Nootbaar will miss multiple weeks with two rib fractures on his left side.
Dylan Carlson and Alec Burleson are the main and most skilled candidates to exchange Edman and Nootbaar within the outfield within the rapid future. Rookie speedster Victor Scott II and defensive ace Michael Siani are additionally candidates, however they might want to play their method onto the Opening Day roster, Mozeliak mentioned. Problem accepted, mentioned the 23-year-old Scott, who was the Minor Leagues co-leader in stolen bases [94] final season whereas additionally profitable a Gold Glove for his defensive work.
“The thought course of I’ve had coming into that is simply exhibiting the big-league membership what I’m fabricated from and the way I can influence video games at that big-league stage,” mentioned Scott, who’s 5-for-20 with a standup triple and three stolen bases in eight video games up to now. “That doesn’t change.”
One different outfield choice for the Cardinals might be 2022 Utility Gold Glover Brendan Donovan, who is anticipated to get some outfield repetitions subsequent week, per supervisor Oliver Marmol. Donovan’s 2023 season ended prematurely due to a partial tear in his ulnar collateral ligament in his proper elbow. The plan all alongside, Marmol mentioned, was to maintain Donovan completely on the infield early in Spring Coaching earlier than permitting him to transition to the outfield.
Edman, a 2021 Gold Glove second baseman, shifted to shortstop after which middle subject in 2023 following accidents to a number of key gamers. He performed so nicely in middle subject (42 video games with out an error) that Mozeliak tabbed him because the crew’s starter at that place way back to November.
Additionally, after the 2 sides initially disagreed on the phrases of Edman’s monetary compensation for 2024 and appeared headed to an arbitration listening to, the Playing cards and their defensive ace labored out a two-year, $16 million pact that may take Edman into free company following the 2025 season.
The extra urgent rapid matter is getting Edman again on the sphere in 2024. Final season, when he missed time due to bother together with his proper wrist, Edman hit .248 with 13 residence runs, 25 doubles and 4 triples in 137 video games. When requested if he was bothered extra by ache or stiffness in his wrist, Edman mentioned, “It looks like swelling.”
“I’m wonderful so long as I’m taking a easy, simple swing,” Edman mentioned whereas mimicking a left-handed swing. “There’s extra ache after I take an aggressive swing.”
