After dropping the first two games, the Cardinals wrap up a home series Sunday against the Nationals. First pitch is set for 1:15 p.m. ºüÀêÊÓƵ time.
Before the game, the Cardinals designated Giovanny Gallegos for assignment and recalled Kyle Leahy. Gallegos, once a high-leverage reliever, has struggled this year with a 6.53 ERA.
The timing of the move was telling as it immediately clears up a spot on the 40-man roster to allow the Cardinals an opening for an addition via trade. They are currently looking for pitching. It also signals their intent to find a trade partner for Gallegos in the next 48 hours ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline or they will likely release the veteran reliever.
He is owed the remainder of his $5.5-million salary.
The Cardinals fell apart late Friday, then were walloped Saturday.
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Right-hander Miles Mikolas (8-8, 5.02) will take the mound Sunday for the Cardinals.
Mikolas has been up and down of late. Three of his last four starts have been quality, and he's walked one batter in total in that span.
But he's also put up a couple of clunkers, permitting six or more earned runs in two of his past five outings.
The Nationals will counter with left-hander DJ Herz (1-4, 4.95).
Herz, a rookie making his ninth career start, went 4 1/3 innings vs. the Cardinals three weeks ago, giving up five runs, four of them earned.
He struck out 10 or more in two of his eight starts.
Herz's changeup is his best pitch by opponents' batting average, and it's an unorthodox one. He refers to it as a
Nationals outfielder Jesse Winker, who had two hits Saturday, is reportedly headed to the Mets in a trade deadline deal, according to multiple reports.
The Cardinals are 53-51, second in the NL Central and six games out of first. ºüÀêÊÓƵ is 5-9 in its last 14 and has lost of three straight, the Cardinals' second three-game skid of the month.
Their recent struggles have dropped the Cardinals out of a wild-card spot.
The Nationals are 49-56, fourth in the NL East. Washington has won seven of its last eight games vs. NL Central foes in the last two weeks.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Masyn Winn, SS
2. Willson Contreras, DH
3. Alec Burleson, LF
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
6. Brendan Donovan, 2B
7. Lars Nootbaar, RF
8. Pedro Pagés, C
9. Michael Siani, CF
P: Miles Mikolas, RHP
NATIONALS
1. CJ Abrams, SS
2. Lane Thomas, RF
3. James Wood, LF
4. Juan Yepez, 1B
5. Luis GarcÃa Jr., 2B
6. Harold RamÃrez, DH
7. Ildemaro Vargas, 3B
8. Riley Adams, C
9. Jacob Young, CF
P: DJ Herz, LHP
Injury report
Tommy Edman (wrist surgery): Edman will be Class AA Springfield’s designated hitter on Sunday after serving as the affiliate’s DH on Saturday. The utilityman is expected to play the field on Tuesday, which would be his first appearance in the field during his rehab assignment, which began on July 9. The position Edman will play was not specified by Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol. Before continuing his rehab assignment on July 24, Edman had his build-up interrupted by a sore ankle that required an anti-inflammatory injection and more than a week of rest. Updated July 28
Riley O'Brien (flexor tendon): The right-hander is scheduled to throw an inning of relief for Memphis on Sunday and, barring any setbacks, will continue his rehab assignment on Wednesday. O’Brien’s workload on Wednesday could have him throw one-plus innings or be the first of back-to-back appearances, Marmol said. The Cardinals manager noted that, from a baseball decision point of view, he’d prefer O’Brien to throw in back-to-back outings to see how the right-hander responds to consecutive days of pitching in a game. Since beginning his rehab assignment on July 20, O’Brien has appeared in three games for Memphis and completed an inning apiece in each outing. Updated July 28
Steven Matz (lower back stiffness): Plans are for Matz, who simulated two innings of work in a bullpen session on Saturday, to begin a rehab assignment on Thursday, likely with Class AAA Memphis. The left-hander is scheduled to pitch two innings (or throw 40 pitches) in what would be his first game action since June 16, which was a rehab appearance with Class AA Springfield. Matz experienced discomfort in his back following the June 16 outing and had his rehab progress reset following a no-throw period. Updated July 28