The Cardinals still aren’t ready to put Masyn Winn back in the lineup, but the finish line is starting to come into view.
Winn did go through a workout on Monday, yet St. Louis chose not to activate him for the series opener against the San Francisco Giants.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the club is waiting on one specific thing: pain-free swings.
As Goold put it, "Starting shortstop Masyn Winn remains on the injured list Monday as the Cardinals' plans to activate the shortstop when he can swing without pain will have to wait at least one more day," Goold wrote. "...
The return of Winn, who fractured his left thumb sliding into a base in Cincinnati last month, has hinged on his comfort level swinging a bat. Certain types of swings still bring pain."
That doesn’t sound like a setback so much as the last hurdle before a return. A full workout is a strong sign Winn is closing in on being ready, even if the Cardinals want to make sure the bat is no longer bothering him.
His absence is part of a bigger issue for St. Louis, which is missing both of its starting middle infielders in Winn and JJ Wetherholt.
For now, Thomas Saggese has handled shortstop duties and has made the most of the opportunity. Over eight games, he has hit .542/.567/1.042 with a 1.608 OPS, three home runs, eight RBIs and three doubles.
Once Winn is back, the Cardinals have options with Saggese. They could move him to second base, or even third base.
That would give St. Louis a much different look than the one it has had while patching things together.
Saggese was sent down earlier this season after he had trouble separating himself, with his bat lagging and his playing time becoming inconsistent.
Before going on the injured list, Winn had put together a .238/.314/.326 line with a .641 OPS, five home runs, 51 RBIs, 10 stolen bases and 19 doubles in 122 games. He also brought Gold Glove-level defense at shortstop, which is part of why the Cardinals have been eager to get him back.
He isn’t there yet, but he’s close, and St. Louis is going to be better when he returns.
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