The St. Louis Cardinals’ 2024 season is off to a tough start, as manager Oliver Marmol’s expectations for this spring training camp aren’t being met. In addition to losing games and having a.244 team average in exhibition play—the lowest in MLB—his squad has also struggled with several injuries to important players. For a team coming off a 71-91 year in which they finished last in the National League Central, that’s never good news.
It looks like there might be another man down for the Redbirds after they were forced to pull starting centerfielder Tommy Edman and super utility player Sonny Gray from their opening-day roster.
After colliding with teammate Jordan Walker during the team’s exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs on March 25, Dylan Carlson, who had taken over Edman’s center position, departed the game. In the upcoming days, his injury status is anticipated to be made public.
Following the game, Marmol told MLB.com, “I’ll tell you [Carlson] feels banged up with the combination of that left shoulder [hitting] the ground, his hip, and his ankle.” “I don’t know much [about him] at this time, other than that he doesn’t feel well.”
Carlson struck Jordan Walker in the outfield and then struck his left arm hard. Although he was escorted by the Redbirds’ training crew, he would be leaving the game alone.
Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner had hit a ball to right center, and the 6-foot-6, 250-pound Walker had pursued it down. He knocked Carlson’s legs out from under him when he tried to dive for the drive. Carlson was rushing to his left and trying to angle for the ball.
Walker referred to the play as “a miscommunication” following the game.
After the game, Walker remarked, “Either he called me [off], and I didn’t hear it, or we didn’t call each other off at all.” ”
“Obviously, we’ve been taught that when the center fielder calls you off, you stop playing, and up until that point, you give it your all.” That’s just what I was doing; I was putting my all into it. I apologize if I missed his phone to cancel because this stadium is so noisy.
“I feel terrible for bumping into him, but I really tried my hardest to catch that ball.” I also believe that I spotted [Carlson] too late. I’m attempting to get inside his line of sight when I dive for the ball. I believe there was only a misunderstanding on both of our ends.
There are just a few days left before the regular season begins for the Cardinals. Thus, Carlson’s absence could be a serious problem for the outfield. Tommy Edman, the original starter in centerfield, was already being replaced by “DC3.” Now, if Carlson is out for an extended amount of time, it’s anybody’s guess what the Cardinals will do in that spot.
“As spring draws to a close, your main goal is to stay healthy,” Marmol stated to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “You’re just trying in the last few games, and hopefully nothing like this happens.” He’s had an amazing spring, so hoping he recovers well from this.
With Edman (wrist) and Lars Nootbaar (ribs) also sidelined, the team may be forced to recall highly sought-after prospect Victor Scott II, a natural centerfielder, if Dylan Carlson takes a prolonged leave of absence. But, it’s likely that they will handle Carlson’s injury day by day, with the team’s immediate goal being to get Scott as many at-bats as possible in Triple-A.
Carlson’s future will require a decision from the Cardinals soon. On Thursday, March 28, they take on the Los Angeles Dodgers to begin the season.
