ST. LOUIS -- Jedd Gyorko landed on the 10-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain on Sunday, but the Cardinals are optimistic that Gyorko will return to the field this year.
After reviewing the results of Gyorko's MRI exam, general manager Michael Girsch labeled the strain as "mild to moderate" and suggested that Gyorko would need a few weeks to recover. There are five weeks remaining in the season.
"It's tough, especially at this time of year," Gyorko said. "I think my swing was starting to come back a little bit and starting to feel a lot better. That's disappointing. But we're going to keep pushing. We're still right there. We have a great team. I'm looking forward to watching the guys play."
In Gyorko's absence, the Cardinals plan to, at least initially, use Greg Garcia and Matt Carpenter to cover third base. The club recalled Luke Voit from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday and can plug Voit in at first base when Carpenter is needed across the diamond.
Carpenter has made 399 career starts at third base, though just one this season. He was out on the Busch Stadium infield early Sunday taking ground balls at the position.
"He's always been very open -- let me know what you need me to do and I'll do it," manager Mike Matheny said. "That's amazing for a guy who has been an All-Star and in conversations for an MVP to have that kind of selflessness to play wherever."
Losing Gyorko is a hit defensively for the Cardinals, who have watched him stabilize things at the hot corner. Entering Sunday, Gyorko ranked second among all Major League third basemen with 16 Defensive Runs Saved. Carpenter has a career -8 DRS at the position.
The Cardinals will get additional reinforcements on Friday, when rosters are permitted to expand. Aledmys Diaz and Alex Mejia are among the players expected to return to St. Louis in September. Both would be options at third base. The Cardinals may also consider adding third baseman Patrick Wisdom to the 40-man roster in order to make him eligible for a callup.
Worth noting
• Adam Wainwright (right elbow impingement) had a doctor's appointment scheduled for Sunday during which he expected to learn when he'd be clear to resume a throwing program.
• Kevin Siegrist (left forearm tendinitis) threw a scoreless inning on Saturday in his second rehab outing with Class A Advanced Palm Beach. He's expected to make at least two more Minor League appearances before the Cardinals consider activating him from the DL.
• Girsch said the organization has advised players who are not from Venezuela and/or don't have a connection to the country to decline participating in the Venezuelan Winter Leagues. Venezuela is the in the midst of a political and economic crisis and dealing with widespread instability in the country.