The St. Louis Cardinals face the imperative of maintaining good health in the upcoming season to rebound from the challenges of the previous year.
Recent injuries have raised concerns about whether Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak adequately bolstered the team during the winter to improve its chances of bouncing back in 2024.
Despite these concerns, positive updates emerged from spring training regarding the recoveries of two crucial players, as reported by MLB.com’s John Denton on Thursday.
“St. Louis Cardinals right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray, who suffered a right hamstring strain during his second spring training outing against the Washington Nationals earlier this week, has progressed to the point of throwing from 60 feet,” Denton wrote. “Meanwhile, center fielder Tommy Edman, recovering from right wrist surgery, has resumed hitting off a tee after experiencing wrist pain, which temporarily paused his rehab plan.”
While the timeline for Gray’s return and his availability for Opening Day remain uncertain, his ability to throw from a distance of 60 feet is an encouraging sign. Hopefully, this setback will not significantly delay his return to regular-season action.
Edman underwent arthroscopic wrist surgery over the winter to address persistent discomfort that plagued him for much of the previous season.
Although Edman is expected to be the Cardinals’ primary center fielder, his clearance to face live pitching is still pending, with Opening Day just three weeks away. Consequently, St. Louis may need to adjust its outfield lineup at the start of the season.
Nevertheless, the progress made by these key players in their rehabilitation efforts is promising news. While it may not be the ideal scenario for Cardinals fans, the prospect of their imminent return provides a measure of optimism for the team’s fortunes in the near future.
