Matt Holliday Aiming for Saturday Return

Matt Holliday will look to end his week and a half absence from the St. Louis Cardinals lineup today.  Holliday, who took batting practice before Friday’s game against the Cubs, said his right middle finger that’s kept him out of action is no longer hampering his swing.

Holliday injured his finger while taking cuts in the on-deck circle on the 13^th of September.  It was the last game Holliday has played in since the injury, as the Cardinals decided to shut him down earlier in the week.  St. Louis hoped that the time off would allow Holliday to fully recover in time for the last stretch of the regular season.

The move has appeared to work, at least regarding Holliday’s health.  But, at this point, the Cardinals have to wonder if Holliday’s return will prove to be too little too late when it comes to their postseason chances.

The Milwaukee Brewers have already clinched the National League Central, and the Cardinals only hope to make the playoffs is to overtake the Braves for the Wild Card.  After pulling within one and a half games earlier this week, St. Louis has dropped its last two to fall three back in the race.  St. Louis appears to be all but out of it as they only have five games remaining.

Holliday admitted that the timing of the injury was terrible, but that he is nonetheless excited to be rejoining his team.  Holliday has turned in another impressive season for the Cardinals, hitting at a clip of .295/.388/.528 with 22 home runs, 35 doubles and 74 RBI’s.

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