Top prospect Taveras back on DL with ankle injury

HOUSTON -- Outfielder Oscar Taveras, the Cardinals' No. 1 prospect according to MLB.com, is on the seven-day disabled list with an ankle injury for a second time this year.

Taveras was removed from Triple-A Memphis' game on June 23 after aggravating a sprained ankle while trying to get back to second base on a pickoff attempt. He drove in three runs in the game.

He already missed playing time between May 12 and June 8 with the ankle issue, going on the disabled list on May 28. While healthy, he's considered an elite outfield prospect and a potential rising star.

While the injury appears to be lingering, Taveras' production has been solid. He's batting .306 with five homers and 32 RBIs in 46 games. But he's hitting only .222 against left-handed pitching, by far the lowest of his career.

Fortunately for St. Louis, the club's outfield depth is deep at the Major and Minor League levels, meaning Taveras will likely be given more time to fully recover.