JUPITER, Fla. — Stressing that his lingering wrist ache is “extra irritation than structural [damage],” Cardinals heart 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 heart fielder, went for a collection of second and third opinions on the fitting wrist that required surgical procedure 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 variety and the switch-hitter has been unable to swing the bat right-handed.
Regardless of not figuring out precisely what the subsequent steps will likely be in his rehabilitation course of, Edman stated he was inspired by the medical analysis he acquired on Friday.
“We’ve gotten a few opinions and there’s nothing conflicting,” Edman stated on Saturday earlier than leaving the Cardinals complicated following St. Louis’ 9-3 loss to New York. “We’re nonetheless attempting to determine some issues, however no less than 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 a number of weeks with two rib fractures on his left aspect.
Dylan Carlson and Alec Burleson are the main and most skilled candidates to exchange Edman and Nootbaar within the outfield within the instant future. Rookie speedster Victor Scott II and defensive ace Michael Siani are additionally candidates, however they might want to play their manner onto the Opening Day roster, Mozeliak stated. Problem accepted, stated the 23-year-old Scott, who was the Minor Leagues co-leader in stolen bases [94] final season whereas additionally successful a Gold Glove for his defensive work.
“The thought course of I’ve had coming into that is simply displaying the big-league membership what I’m manufactured from and the way I can impression video games at that big-league stage,” stated Scott, who’s 5-for-20 with a standup triple and three stolen bases in eight video games to this point. “That doesn’t change.”
One different outfield possibility for the Cardinals might be 2022 Utility Gold Glover Brendan Donovan, who is predicted 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 stated, was to maintain Donovan solely 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 heart discipline in 2023 following accidents to a number of key gamers. He performed so effectively in heart discipline (42 video games with out an error) that Mozeliak tabbed him because the group’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 instant matter is getting Edman again on the sector 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 stated, “It appears like swelling.”
“I’m advantageous so long as I’m taking a clean, simple swing,” Edman stated whereas mimicking a left-handed swing. “There’s extra ache once I take an aggressive swing.”