Before taking batting practice Tuesday afternoon, Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker felt discomfort near his abdomen that did not subside and ultimately put him the hospital overnight for observation.
Walker was diagnosed with appendicitis, but because of the early awareness, he was able to receive treatment, avoid surgery and return home Wednesday morning, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. The Cardinals’ 23-year-old right fielder is expected to receive four or five days of rest, and the team put him on the 10-day injured list to also allow for him to take some rehab at-bats in the minors, if needed.
“Spoke to him, and he is in better shape,†Marmol said.
This is Walker’s second stint on the IL this month. He recently returned from a wrist injury and found his playing time reduced because of the performance of Alec Burleson and others. Walker has started five of the Cardinals’ 12 games since his return, and in his 18 at-bats since the previous IL stint, he’s batting .167 with three singles, a walk and six strikeouts. He would be likely to start at least one of the final two games against the Cubs and their left-handed starting pitchers.
People are also reading…
Walker was getting ready for batting practice Tuesday when he told ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥es and team trainers about an ache in his side. The pain lingered — and then intensified. A team doctor at the ballpark had Walker go through some movement tests to determine the possible cause of the pain and try to rule out any issue with the appendix. Walker had imaging that confirmed the irritation and what Marmol called “early signs†of appendicitis.
Marmol said the young outfielder received antibiotics and other treatments and was asked to remain at the hospital.
“They felt like holding him over night was important,†Marmol said.
That meant the Cardinals quietly played their 8-7 victory against the Cubs with a roster shy of three players. New addition and utility fielder Garrett Hampson had yet to arrive in St. Louis. Michael McGreevy’s spot start meant the bullpen was down to seven relievers instead of eight. And Walker was at the hospital.
In April 2011, Cardinals Hall of Famer Matt Holliday had an appendectomy after going 3 for 4 with a home run on opening day. He returned to the lineup within 10 days.
To take Walker’s spot on the active roster, the Cardinals promoted infielder Jose Fermin. Fermin won the International League’s player of the week award this past week after hitting .550 with two homers and nine RBIs for the Class AAA Memphis Redbirds. This season, Fermin is batting .308 with a .914 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS), five homers and 19 stolen bases for the Cardinals’ top affiliate.
McGreevy's options running out
As advertised by the team every time it promotes McGreevy for an appearance as the team’s No. 6 starter, the right-hander was optioned back to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.
He was replaced on the active roster by right-hander Matt Svanson to give the bullpen a fresh arm. Because players are required to spend a minimum number of days in the minors after being optioned — except in the cases of an injury replacement or doubleheader — the Cardinals have optioned out pitchers Gordon Graceffo, Andre Granillo, Roddery Munoz and now McGreevy in the past week and now must go at least a week without promoting them.
The mandatory stays begin to overlap and landlock roster choices.
Teams are also limited to optioning a player five times in a single season before they must pass through waivers. Wednesday’s option was McGreevy’s third. He pitched 4 2/3 innings for a no-decision Tuesday night, and he has been superb in three starts for the Cardinals and four appearances, three of which have been against the Dodgers, Cubs and Mets. McGreevy has a 4.22 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings in the majors, and he’s 7-1 with a 2.51 ERA in a dozen Triple-A starts.
Asked if the team is nearing a point where they have to decide where McGreevy fits in the majors, Marmol said: “We’re not there yet.â€
Asked by the Post-Dispatch if using him in relief might be in play, the manager stated: “That’s not on our radar right now.â€
‘Most guys just play it safe’
The finishing play of Tuesday night’s one-run comeback victory was a bounding grounder toward shortstop that Masyn Winn admitted he was “nervous†watching unfold.
Nolan Arenado cut in front of his teammate to grab the grounder with his bare hand and, in the same motion, whipped a throw to first for the final out of an 8-7 win.
The tying run was at third. The safer play was to use the glove.
“It takes huge courage to do that, it really does,†Marmol said. “Most guys would just play it safe and glove it and throw it across. And if the runner beats it, he beats it. I did the best I could. It was a slow roller and a fast runner. It is what it is. Whereas he wanted the game to end. And he was willing to risk it and he’s that confident in what he’s practiced a million times. I love that about it. That’s what makes him a Hall of Famer is stuff like that.â€
Tony in town to promote event
Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa has been visiting the ballpark this week as he promotes a July event in St. Louis that is a celebration of the Cardinals' championships during his run of the dugout.
On July 16 at Stifel Theater, La Russa expects a dozen former players to attend and participate in an evening hosted by Joe Buck. La Russa said Wednesday afternoon that he’s bringing Will Clark and David Freese in for the event as well as Rick Ankiel, David Eckstein, Reggie Sanders, Woody Williams, Mike Matheny, Matt Morris and the Cardinals' all-time saves leader Jason Isringhausen. Al Hrabosky is also scheduled to appear. There will be memorial tributes to Darry Kile and the late Walt Jocketty as well.
The event is set to benefit La Russa’s Rescue Champions, his charity to help animal rescue and animal rescue centers, as well the PenFed Foundation, which supports military veterans and service members.
Tickets are available at Stifel’s website.
