PITTSBURGH -- The targeted Friday return date for Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter will likely be moved back for a few days, potentially pushing into next week.
Manager Mike Shildt said that he spoke with Carpenter after his 0-for-3 rehab game for Memphis on Wednesday, and it seems his star infielder needs more at-bats, though not for any injury concerns. Carpenter has been on the injured list since July 16 with a right foot contusion.
“He’s likely going to continue on through the early part of the weekend,” Shildt said. “[We’re] figuring out what that looks like and where, but talked to him this morning. He’s feeling better.”
Carpenter has gone 0-for-6 with three strikeouts and a walk in two rehab games with Triple-A Memphis. On Thursday, Double-A Springfield announced that Carpenter is traveling there to rehab, which is expected to last potentially through Tuesday. That would put him out of Major League action until a home series with the rival Cubs.
Evaluating a player’s return is not as simple as reading a linescore, though. It takes conversations with Carpenter, coaches, evaluators and medical staff.
“Results weren’t there as far as the numbers go, but we trust the opinion that he’s moving toward a positive place again,” Shildt said. “Just continue to get some at-bats and make sure he feels like he’s ready to go.”
Shildt said earlier in the week that it’s important to remember that it hasn’t been just the current stay on the IL that Carpenter has faced recently. He was also placed on the injured list from June 2-11 with a lower back strain, and he’s only appeared in four games this month.
Ozuna showing progress, others TBD
The Cardinals plan to reevaluate many of their other injured players when they return to Busch Stadium on Friday to begin a six-game homestand. One of those players is Marcell Ozuna (fractured right middle finger), who Shildt said has shown a lot of good progress.
“Marcell’s baselines are getting closer and closer back to his grip strength to where he was prior,” said Shildt. “So he’s gaining ground. His swelling is going down. He made a fairly significant jump in that grip strength over the last couple of days. Now it’s that last little part of where he’s at coming back.”
Ozuna was the Cardinals’ home run leader this season with 20 until Paul Goldschmidt launched his 21st in Wednesday’s 14-8 win vs. the Pirates at PNC Park.
Shildt confirmed Yadier Molina (right thumb tendon strain) will take up baserunning soon, but he said further evaluation will be needed to gauge where he’s at when the Cardinals fly back. Jedd Gyorko (back strain; right wrist surgery) has been “ramping up his baseball activities,” Shildt said, and he hopes to get a better look at that in St. Louis, where Gyorko could potentially take batting practice this weekend with the team.
“We’ll look at Jedd tomorrow in total with his baseball activities and see what that looks like, coupled with the medical staff,” Shildt said. “And then we’ll have a conversation with Jedd on Saturday, where we all think we’re at.”
Jake Crouse was a reporter for MLB.com.