This is your Cardinals News, Rumors, and Commentary Roundup for the Morning of June 29, 2021.
“These are some names I could see making sense if the Cardinals explore selling assets at the trade deadline. He’s showing that he could be a fit for the Cardinals long-term. But what if they don’t? It’s rare to look at the Cardinals as a potential trade deadline seller. Paul DeJong: Probably the biggest name I could see the Cardinals exploring in trade talks is Paul DeJong.”
“The Cardinals are selecting right-hander Roel Ramírez and recalling lefty Brandon Waddell to the big league roster, general manager John Mozeliak told reporters (including Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat). Righties Jake Woodford and Seth Elledge have been optioned to Triple-A Memphis to clear active roster space. To open a 40-man roster spot for Ramírez, St. Louis is designating…”
“Buoyed by a six-run seventh inning, kick-started by Wade LeBlanc’s first go-around slotted into the rotation and continued by some firsts from the bullpen, St. Louis’ first inning scoring at least four runs since June 9, when they put up four against Cleveland in the first frame. We have to figure out ways where we feel like we are in games, giving ourselves a chance to win and really just changing our current trajectory of what we look like.” “I am who I am because of the catcher I have and the defense that I have,” LeBlanc said. “That’s the recipe,” said Cardinals manager Mike Shildt.”
“• Cardinals Stat of the Day, May 2021 His bat isn’t too shabby either. The pitch Adam Wainwright threw from the mound? 74.7 mph. The 23-year-old was promoted ahead of Tuesday’s game, started in left field and brought home the team’s first run with a fifth-inning sacrifice fly. Nootbaar is the first Cardinal since David Freese in 2009 to record a sacrifice fly in his MLB debut.”
“• All Cardinals Transactions INJURY UPDATES 10-day IL CF Harrison Bader (right rib hairline fracture) Expected return: First week of July Bader’s return is expected to be in “the near future,” president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said June 28, as the center fielder’s rehab will advance to Triple-A Memphis starting June 29. (Last updated: June 17) RHP Jordan Hicks (right elbow inflammation) Expected return: August Hicks continues to refrain from throwing but is said to be progressing without hiccups as of June 16 and has “a big smile on his face,” manager Mike Shildt said. (Last updated: June 28) RHP Kodi Whitley (mid-back spasms) Expected return: July Whitley will return to action on a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on June 29, after which the club will evaluate his next steps. Ponce de Leon reported to his skipper that he just “couldn’t get going.” (Last updated: June 24) 60-day IL RHP Miles Mikolas (right forearm tightness) Expected return: August Mikolas, who’s been throwing on the Busch Stadium field, is nearing a return to a more rigid throwing program, and the club believes he’ll be ready to contribute by the time his 60 days on the injured list expire in the first few weeks of August.”
“You hit the ball hard. You throw the ball hard. And sometimes, the ball is hit with such force that you can’t help but ask yourself, “Just how hard was that thing hit?!” Thanks to Statcast, we now know the exit velocity of each ball hit across the big leagues each day, no matter if it’s a squeaker or a towering homer. Baseball has always been a simple game.”