PITTSBURGH -- Stephen Piscotty's cleat got caught in the PNC Park turf while he was tracking Josh Harrison's fly ball in the ninth inning of Friday night's 5-2 loss to the Pirates, and that's when he felt the grab in his right leg and groin area. The Cards outfielder left with a right groin strain, and he visited with trainers on Saturday morning. He learned that the injury was minor, but it's still going to take some time to heal.
The Cardinals placed Piscotty on the 10-day disabled list on Saturday, and they recalled Magneuris Sierra from Double-A Springfield as a corresponding move. However, general manager Mike Girsch confirmed that Sierra would not arrive in Pittsburgh in time for St. Louis' game against the Pirates on Saturday.
Piscotty wasn't sure whether he will travel with the team while he is on the DL.
"We haven't made those decisions yet," Piscotty said. "It's a very minor [injury], but it is a bit of a tweak, so it's going to take some time. Mike said it's best for the team right now I go on the DL."
The Cardinals wanted to be cautious with Piscotty, Girsch said. But they also need as many fully healthy players as possible.
"We just can't afford to be playing short," Girsch said. "He probably doesn't need a full 10 days, but he needs enough that 10 days on the DL is safer than playing short for a few and hope he recovers quickly."
Piscotty is slashing .236/.348/.371 with six home runs, but both Girsch and Cards manager Mike Matheny admitted that some bad luck has played a role in Piscotty's numbers.
"He's had some good at-bats and some just misses," Matheny said. "There are times where it looks like he's close to getting it right."
Injury update
Girsch also provided an update on Randal Grichuk's lower back strain. The GM anticipates that Grichuk, who was placed on the 10-day DL retroactive to Monday, will be ready to play when he comes off the DL on Thursday. Grichuk hasn't played since last Sunday, so Girsch hopes to give Grichuk some rehab games on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"We will see how it plays out," Girsch said. "But none of these guys are to the point where we have an answer yet."