The Cardinals positioned catcher Iván Herrera on the 10-day injured record this morning. His keep will final nicely past the minimal. Supervisor Oli Marmol instructed the workforce’s beat that Herrera was recognized with a bone bruise in his left knee (hyperlink through MLB.com’s John Denton). He’ll be out for at the least a month.
Herrera was out to a blistering begin to the season, headlined by his three-homer efficiency final Wednesday in opposition to the Angels. That was remarkably the primary three-homer recreation by a catcher within the franchise’s historical past, which matches again to the Eighties. The 24-year-old is hitting .381 with 4 longballs in 24 plate appearances general. Herrera hit .301/.372/.428 over a career-high 72 video games final season, so there’s motive to consider he might be one of many higher offensive catchers in baseball.
Marmol confirmed that they’re not contemplating Willson Contreras as a backup possibility behind the plate. That was roughly established when St. Louis chosen Yohel Pozo from Triple-A Memphis because the corresponding transfer for Herrera’s IL placement. St. Louis will follow the plan of conserving Contreras as their on a regular basis first baseman. Pozo will again up Pedro Pagés in the intervening time.
President of baseball operations John Mozeliak instructed Denton and different reporters that the entrance workplace will keep watch over the catching market. That’d presumably be strictly at depth choices, as they’ll wish to preserve Herrera’s path to common taking part in time open as soon as he’s wholesome. Former fourth-round decide Jimmy Crooks is likely one of the group’s extra gifted prospects as nicely. He’s getting his first actual take a look at Triple-A pitching after a .321/.410/.498 exhibiting final yr in Double-A. The Playing cards didn’t wish to rush him to the majors in response to the Herrera harm, however they may search for an skilled catcher so as to add organizational depth alongside Crooks in Memphis.
