Shortly after batting practice concluded at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals scratched Willson Contreras from the starting lineup due to back spasms that gripped their first baseman.
Contreras was replaced at first base by Alec Burleson.
The decision to remove Contreras from the lineup was precautionary, according to a team official. The veteran experienced the spasms in his mid-back, and he is considered day to day as the Cardinals open a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
First pitch for the series opener Friday night is 7:15 p.m.
The move of Burleson to first base had ripple effects elsewhere in the lineup as Burleson was initially set to start in right field as a left-handed bat against former Cardinals prospect and current Arizona ace Zac Gallen. Burleson's move to first base brought Nolan Gorman, another left-handed bat, into the lineup and moved Brendan Donovan to left field to accommodate Gorman at second.
People are also reading…
Before the game, manager Oliver Marmol said his plan is not to use Burleson and Jordan Walker in a platoon setup in the lineup with Walker getting the starts against lefties and Burleson starting games like Friday's.
Walker is going to start more often against right-handed pitchers.
Marmol said the opportunity was there to line up the lefties against Gallen, who has allowed left-handed batters to reach base 35% of the time this season and they have an .804 OPS against him. Right-handed batters have a .722 OPS in his 10 games so far this season.
Early Friday afternoon, the Cardinals made a roster move to swap right-handed relievers. The Cardinals recalled Matt Svanson from Class AAA Memphis and returned Chris Roycroft to their top affiliate. Marmol explained that that he preferred to have another multi-inning option for long reliever through the course of the next two series through Thursday's off day, at which time they'll determine if they're going to again upshift to a six-man rotation with Steven Matz moving out of the bullpen and into a starting role.
Cardinals: Right-hander Miles Mikolas (3-2, 3.77).
Diamondbacks: Right-hander Zac Gallen (3-5, 5.14).
Team records
Cardinals: 27-23, 2nd in NL Central (6-4 in last 10)
Diamondbacks: 26-24, 4th in NL West (5-5 in last 10)
How to watch Cardinals vs. Diamondbacks
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
Where: Busch Stadium, St. Louis
TV/radio: Apple TV+ (live stream link); KMOX (1120 AM and 104.1 FM), other stations in the Cardinals Radio Network as well as MLB.tv.
1. Lars Nootbaar, RF
2. Masyn Winn, SS
3. Brendan Donovan LF
4. Ivan Herrera, DH
5. Alec Burleson, 1B
6. Nolan Arenado, 3B
7. Nolan Gorman, 2B
8. Pedro Pages, C
9. Victor Scott II, CF
P: Miles Mikolas, RHP
DIAMONDBACKS
1. Corbin Carroll, RF
2. Ketel Marte, 2B
3. Lourdes Gurriel Jr., LF
4. Josh Naylor, 1B
5. Eugenio Suarez, 3B
6. Pavin Smith, DH
7. Geraldo Perdomo, SS
8. Alek Thomas, CF
9. Jose Herrera, C
P: Zac Gallen, RHP
Injury report
Zach Thompson, LHP (shoulder): Lefty has returned to St. Louis for a re-evaluation after his throwing program stalled this past week in Jupiter, Florida. Although some of the official statements from the Cardinals said that he was throwing at 100 feet and even taking strides toward throwing off the mound, that was not the case. Thompson reached 45 feet at his outer limit when he had to slow his progression due to soreness in the left shoulder. Thompson went about 10 1/2 weeks between throws with a baseball, though in that time he did throw some balls meant to help him rehab and regain strength. Updated May 23
0 Comments
Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter
Sent weekly directly to your inbox!