Cards patient with top prospect Taveras' recovery

ST. LOUIS -- Top prospect Oscar Taveras, who continues to rehab from a high right ankle sprain in Florida, is not expected back on the field for at least another week.

The decision to have Taveras halt all running was made after a member of the medical staff read a mid-week MRI taken of Taveras' ankle. Taveras last played on Monday, when he had two plate appearances during a Minor League rehab game with the Gulf Coast League Cardinals.

Taveras has been dealing with this ankle injury since May 12. He missed nearly a month, returned for 15 games with Triple-A Memphis and then landed back on the disabled list as discomfort continued.

"We probably should have been a little bit more patient, not trying to get him back on the field for the sake of getting him back," general manager John Mozeliak said on Saturday. "We probably should have waited until he was 100 percent."

When healthy, Taveras has been productive. In 46 games with Memphis, Taveras hit .306 with 12 doubles, five homers, 32 RBIs, 25 runs scored and five stolen bases. If he incurs no further setbacks with the ankle, Taveras should be able to play at least one more month before the Minor League season ends in September.

Whether or not Taveras will get strong consideration for a September callup to the Majors will depend upon how much longer he is sidelined and how he performs once he returns.

"Obviously, he has lost a lot of at-bats, but when he has played, he has performed," Mozeliak said. "I think the simple way to look at it is just lost playing time. I don't think that diminishes his talent or how we look at him in any way."