ST. LOUIS -- After being removed from Monday night's game against the Rockies, William Fowler was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday with a strained left forearm. The move opened up an opportunity for the club's No. 6 prospect, outfielder Harrison Bader, to join the club.
Bader made his Major League debut in center field Tuesday and filled one of two open spots on the Cardinals' 40-man roster. He has slashed .297/.354/.517 with 19 homers, 48 RBIs and 18 doubles for Triple-A Memphis this season.
"He's an exciting player, he's having a great year and you could see that things were heading in the direction where he might get an opportunity to come help us," manager Mike Matheny said. "Just a full-out stop player. Some great production at the plate, a guy with plus speed. Just one of the better players we have in our system for sure. … A door has opened up for him and so let's watch him play."
There has been much speculation that Bader, 23, would soon be called up, including just last week when Magneuris Sierra was briefly brought in from Double-A Springfield instead. Bader didn't have to wait long, however, to get the opportunity to prove what he can do.
"It's obviously a dream come true," Bader said before the game. "[I'm] just focused on tonight, I'm in the lineup as I saw, so I'm ready to rock. Let's do it."
The Cardinals mentioned that they were waiting for a more long-term opportunity to bring up Bader, which may show the seriousness of Fowler's injury. The center fielder is making his second appearance on the DL this season, after spending about two weeks healing his right heel spur less than a month ago.
Fowler's forearm has been a recurring issue that flared up during Monday's game. After further evaluation, the Cardinals realized that he will need time to recover.
"I think [it's] definitely been a little frustrating that [Fowler] hasn't quite gotten, kind of, up and running," general manager Mike Girsch said. "When he has, it's been interrupted by one thing or another. So yeah, definitely frustrating."
In his first season in St. Louis, Fowler is slashing .241/.333/.452 with 29 extra-base hits and 37 RBIs in 333 plate appearances this year over 81 games. He is in the midst of a three-game hitless streak and has not homered since July 7.
The Cardinals have two outfielders on the DL, Fowler and Stephen Piscotty, who is scheduled to perform baseball activities on Tuesday and Wednesday. He will join Class A Peoria on Thursday for a rehab assignment. With the injuries, the Cardinals will now have extended time to test out different starting-outfield combinations for the final two months of the season.