Cardinals Sensational star Ace would likely begin deal process after trade talks on Tuesday
CHICAGO (AP) – St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras likely will begin a minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday.
Contreras has been out since he was hit by a swing on May 7, breaking his left forearm. He had surgery the following day.
The 32-year-old Contreras had a couple of batting practice sessions in St. Louis this weekend. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said before Sunday’s 2-1 victory at the Cubs that he wasn’t sure just yet where Contreras was going to do his rehab stint.
Contreras, a three-time All-Star, is batting .280 with six homers and 12 RBIs in 31 games this season.
St. Louis placed right-hander Kyle Gibson on the bereavement list before the series finale at Wrigley Field. Right-hander Ryan Loutos was recalled from Triple-A Memphis.
Gibson pitched seven sparkling innings in Friday’s 3-0 victory over the Cubs. Marmol said he thinks Gibson will be back in time for his next start Wednesday at Miami.
Marmol also said infielder-outfielder Tommy Edman is moving his rehab to the team’s facility in Florida this week. Edman hasn’t played this season because of a right wrist sprain.
“When we’re at home, it´s easier to get a lot of things done, like defensive work and hit on the field,” Marmol said. “Now he´s at a point where he can get on the field and do all those things. So when we´re on the road, it´s much easier for him to just be where there´s coaches and activity going on all the time in Florida.”
The St. Louis Cardinals, winners of five of their past six games, will go for a third straight series victory on Tuesday night when they oppose the host Miami Marlins. St. Louis blew three leads on Monday but eventually beat the Marlins 7-6 in 12 innings.
Despite the loss, Marlins manager Skip Schumaker didn’t lament the missed opportunities but rather lauded his club’s resiliency. “Our guys don’t quit — hell of an effort against Sonny Gray, who is one of best starters in the league, and a really good (Cardinals) bullpen,” Schumaker said. “I’m super proud of how our guys fought back.” The Tuesday pitching matchup will feature two right-handers. Lance Lynn (2-3, 3.75 ERA) will go for the Cardinals against the Marlins’ Roddery Munoz (1-2, 4.56).
Munoz, a 24-year-old rookie from the Dominican Republic, had remarkably little fanfare prior to his major league debut on April 20. After all, his ERA in the minors was 5.49 this year and 5.42 in 2023. In the majors, Munoz has turned in two quality starts in five attempts. He held the New York Mets to one hit, one walk and no runs in his most recent start, a no-decision in a 3-2 Marlins loss on Thursday. He also held Colorado to one run on three hits in six innings on May 1. Munoz has yet to face St. Louis.
The Marlins’ offense is led by center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. The Cardinals thought so highly of the 26-year-old that they walked him three times on Monday, including once intentionally.
