2:14pm: The Cardinals have formally introduced Scott’s recall and Siani’s placement on the 10-day IL resulting from a proper indirect pressure. A timetable for Siani’s return has not but been made clear, although Woo suggests it sounds as if his harm is “important.”
1:13pm: The Cardinals are recalling middle fielder Victor Scott II forward of right this moment’s collection finale towards the Cubs, in keeping with a report from The Athletic’s Katie Woo this morning. Woo means that Scott will take the place of middle fielder Michael Siani on the energetic roster as he heads to the 10-day injured listing resulting from an indirect challenge that cropped up throughout yesterday’s sport.
It’s an unlucky flip of occasions for Siani, 25, as he was within the midst of building himself as long-term possibility for the membership in middle when he exited yesterday’s sport resulting from tightness on his proper facet and was despatched for an MRI as famous by MLB.com’s John Denton yesterday. The outcomes of that MRI are usually not but clear, although the middle fielder evidently would require at the very least a ten day stint on the shelf to get better. Yesterday’s shortened efficiency ended a incredible sizzling stretch for Siani that dated all the best way again to June 24. In his earlier 31 appearances getting into yesterday’s sport, the middle fielder had slashed an exceptional .354/.391/.415, although that stretch of offensive success got here with an eye-popping .492 BABIP that was clearly unsustainable.
Nonetheless, Siani’s progress as a hitter has been spectacular contemplating the truth that he entered the month of Might with a ghastly .128/.244/.179 slash line. His improved play since then has introduced his wRC+ as much as 79, a determine that’s nonetheless properly under common however is sufficient to make him a viable common along with his elite protection in middle subject and a powerful 14-for-17 observe file on the basepaths. Siani’s +15 Outs Above Common ranks second amongst all middle fielders behind Jacob Younger and fourth amongst all MLB gamers this yr, whereas his +10 Defensive Runs Saved ties him with defensive phenoms Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael A. Taylor for sixth amongst all outfielders.
Taking Siani’s place on the Cardinals’ energetic roster is Scott, a fellow glove-first middle fielder who bats from the left facet. Scott made his huge league debut earlier this yr because the membership’s stunning alternative for Opening Day middle fielder however struggled badly within the position with a brutal .085/.138/.136 slash line (-22 wRC+) in 21 video games earlier than he was in the end optioned again all the way down to Triple-A. Scott’s struggles have continued within the minors as he’s hit simply .219/.302/.319 in 74 video games on the highest degree of the minors this yr regardless of a formidable strikeout price of simply 14.3%.
It’s not presently clear if Scott will take over for Siani as a daily fixture in middle subject or will as a substitute be used as a defensive alternative off the bench. In any case, the membership may make the most of both Lars Nootbaar or Tommy Pham in middle subject and each gamers could be a major offensive enchancment over Scott on the place. Such a arrange would seemingly go away Brendan Donovan to maneuver from second base into an outfield nook to open the keystone up for Nolan Gorman, who has struggled to a .199/.272/.408 slash line (91 wRC+) in 99 video games with the membership this yr. It’s additionally attainable that Scott’s call-up to the majors may point out that Siani’s harm isn’t prone to require a serious absence, as Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Publish-Dispatch recommended yesterday {that a} lengthier absence for Siani may lead the Cardinals to try to work a right-handed bat similar to Luken Baker and even former prime prospect Jordan Walker into their predominantly left-handed bench combine.
