Dylan Carlson made his 2024 season debut as the starting center fielder on Sunday in the 34th Cardinals game of the season. The Cardinals activated Carlson from the injured list and optioned reserve catcher Pedro Pages to Triple-A Memphis prior to their series finale against the Chicago White Sox at Busch Stadium.
Carlson won the job in spring training with Tommy Edman sidelined by his extended recovery and rehab from wrist surgery, but a collision in the outfield with Jordan Walker in the second-to-last spring training exhibition game kept Carlson from beginning the season in the big leagues.
“It feels like opening day for me, getting to be around the guys and be able to contribute again and be back out there,†Carlson said in the Cardinals clubhouse before the game. “I’m definitely looking forward to it.â€
Carlson, a switch hitter, became the fourth player to start in center field for the Cardinals this season. He joined Victor Scott II, Michael Siani and Lars Nootbaar in that respect.
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Carlson, 25, performed very well in spring training after he finished last season on the IL following ankle surgery. Carlson slashed .271/.340/.521 with three home runs, including two home runs batting left-handed. His ability to hit for power and drive the ball as a left-handed hitter had been an ongoing pursuit, and he showed signs of having figured that out this spring.
He suffered a sprained left shoulder when he and Walker ran into each other chasing down a ball hit in the right-center field gap at Sloan Park in Arizona against the Chicago Cubs.
Immediately after the injury, Carlson’s range of motion became so limited that everyday tasks were trying and he couldn’t sleep on his side. From a baseball standpoint, the initial thought was that Carlson might have the most difficulty feeling comfortable throwing a baseball. He throws with his left arm.
“Throwing definitely seemed like the most cautious thing out of anything, and there was a period there where putting on a shirt was harder than throwing a baseball. So I was pretty thrilled at that fact. Luckily it’s held up and we’re still in a good spot throwing the ball. That was real encouraging right away. Hitting in the games, I’ve felt really good with the shoulder — where it’s at and how it’s moving.â€
Carlson appeared in just four minor-league games during his rehab assignment. He had 10 at-bats and played 15 innings in the field. He also took at-bats against the Trajekt pitching machine, a robot that mimics actual pitchers. They used the machine to simulate at-bats against left-handed pitchers, since Carlson didn’t get to face one in the minors.
Calrson said the main goal of the rehab experience was simply getting to a point where he and the club know he’s able to go through the daily routine and be available to play on consecutive days.
He’ll continue to build timing at the plate as he plays in games. He said he hadn’t been able to do some of the weighted bat work he’d done as part of his regiment in the offseason.
“But we’re in a spot where we can go out there and contribute, so let’s do it,†Carlson said.
Carlson jumped right into the starting lineup and batted fifth for the Cardinals on Sunday. He joined a lineup that has struggled to consistently score this season. The Cardinals entered the day having scored an average of 3.55 runs per game, 28th out of 30 MLB teams.
“Just do your job,†Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said of Carlson’s addition. “He’s not coming in to save the world. He’s healthy and he’s a good piece to add. Other guys are going to continue to work and step up, and it will come together. I really do believe in this group. They will hit.â€
Thompson positioned for a return?
Steven Matz going on the IL created an opening in the starting pitching rotation, and left-handed reliever Matthew Liberatore got the nod to start on Sunday in Matz’s place.
At the end of spring training when the Cardinals decided they’d move Liberatore to the bullpen, they also named left-hander Zack Thompson as the replacement for ace Sonny Gray in the rotation to start the season.
Why did Thompson get overlooked with Matz’s spot open?
“We wanted to make sure he got that start he got a couple days ago to continue to work on the things he’s working on for his development,†Marmol said. “That’s what’s best for him at the moment, and we didn’t want to disrupt that. So we think he’s trending in the right direction and doing what he needs to do, and we want to keep it that way.â€
Thompson, who went back to the minors on April 24 after he’d pitched out of the Cardinals bullpen, pitched four scoreless innings for Memphis on Friday. Thompson allowed just two hits and struck out four. He threw 72 pitches. His average fastball velocity was 92.7 mph. A drop in velocity had been a concern towards the end of his stint in the majors.
The Cardinals have not named a starter for Friday in Milwaukee, the next turn in the rotation for the spot Liberatore filled on Sunday. Thompson could be a candidate to come up and make that start.