Cody

Stanley

It’s not clear what drug he tested positive for. Stanley, 23, batted .264/.317/.425 with 11 homers, 66 RBI and a .742 OPS with Class A Quad Cities last season and has made some real strides behind the plate. Baseball America ranked him as the organization’s No. 24 prospect over the winter.

Stanley was non-tendered by the Cardinals over the winter after a second positive test. There would seem to be a good chance that his baseball career is over.

He went 5-for-6 with four singles and a double. Saturday was Stanley’s first multi-hit game since May 28. His previous career-high in hits was four set August 8, 2014 while playing for Double-A Springfield. Stanley had been just one for his last 17 before Saturday. The 26-year-old made his major league debut earlier this season, singling off Jonathan Broxton for his first big league hit.

Stanley entered the game late as a defensive replacement and it was his only at-bat on the evening. He’ll continue to function as the Cardinals third catcher over the final month of the season.

Stanley will serve as an emergency third catcher behind Yadier Molina and Tony Cruz down the stretch.

Stanley had previously received a 50-game ban for a different performance-enhancing substance back in March of 2012. The 26-year-old backstop had been providing additional depth behind the plate for the Cardinals, hitting .400 (4-for-10) with three RBI in his limited action. He won’t be eligible to return until midway through the 2016 campaign.

Stanley was recalled for catching depth while Yadier Molina nursed a knee injury, but Molina is back behind the dish and the Cardinals need the roster spot for Thursday’s starter, Tim Cooney. Stanley had a hit in three at-bats in his short stay with the Cards.

He’ll give the Cards a backup behind the plate with Yadier Molina (knee) a little banged up. Stanley, who will be making his major league debut if he gets into a game, was batting .216/.298/.333 with a couple homers in the early going at Memphis.

Stanley was added to the Cardinals’ 40-man roster over the winter. The 26-year-old hit .283/.340/.429 with 12 homers and 13 stolen bases at Double-A last season.

Stanley was hit with a 60-game suspension following a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance in mid-September. It was his second suspension. He also sat out 50 games on a similar charge in March, 2012. He recorded four hits in 10 at-bats with the Cardinals in 2015. The 26-year-old catcher won’t be able to play until he’s served the current suspension out through the first 60 games of the 2016 campaign.