St. Louis Cardinals activate Matt Holliday from disabled list
By Tim Haberin
The St. Louis Cardinals have activated outfielder Matt Holliday from the disabled list:
#STLCards activate All-Star outfielder Matt Holliday (right quad strain) from the 15-day DL. Matt Adams in starting lineup tonight
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) September 15, 2015
He is not in the starting lineup tonight against the Milwaukee Brewers, however.
Holliday was placed on the DL back on July 30 due to a quad strain he re-aggravated while running to first base. It wasn’t the first time the ailing quad forced the 12-year veteran to miss time this year. He was earlier sidelined on June 9 and did not return until July 17.
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The ever-consistent 35-year-old had been enjoying one of his typically strong seasons until the health issues. Through 63 games Holliday sports a .290/.409/.420 slash line along with four home runs and 31 RBI. His efforts were enough for fans to vote him into the All-Star Game as a starter (his seventh ASG nod), though he did not play because of his injury.
The Cards are in no hurry to start Holliday before they are ready, though. Manager Mike Matheny said the team is taking “progressive steps” and views him as a right-handed bat off the bench for the moment.
St. Louis can certainly afford to take it slow, especially in light of the quick emergence of rookie outfielder Stephen Piscotty. The 24-year-old is slashing .330/.371/.511 with four homers and 30 RBI over 49 games since being promoted. He has handled the bulk of left field duties as of late.
Long assumed to have the NL Central in the bag, the slumping Cardinals have watched their once-commanding division lead cut to two games by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Having an experienced bat like Matt Holliday’s back in their arsenal could be a valuable boost for the Redbirds down the stretch.