Masyn

Winn

Wetherholt takes a seat after playing both games during Tuesday’s doubleheader at Busch Stadium. It’ll be José Fermín at second base with Masyn Winn moving up to the leadoff spot in his place. The 23-year-old rookie sensation is one of the most prominent omissions from next week’s All-Star Game. He’s put together an excellent first half, hitting .263/.358/.405 with 56 runs scored, 13 homers, 36 RBI and nine steals in 391 plate appearances through 86 games.

Winn is clearly feeling better and appears to have managed to talk his way into the lineup following a one-game absence due to left thumb soreness. His return pushes rookie standout JJ Wetherholt back to the keystone with Bryan Torres retreating to the bench.

There’s been no indication that Winn is a lock for the injured list after being scratched from Tuesday’s lineup with left thumb soreness. He’s presumably day-to-day heading into Thursday’s series finale at Busch Stadium. It’ll be rookie sensation JJ Wetherholt making his second straight start at shortstop in his absence.

It doesn’t sound like a significant concern since Winn was in the club’s initial lineup. The 24-year-old shortstop has been seeing the ball well recently, hitting .393 (11-for-28) with one homer and five RBI over his last seven games. It’ll be JJ Wetherholt taking over at shortstop in his absence.

Winn’s homer was a three-run shot in the top of the first that gave St. Louis a 5-0 lead. The slick-fielding shortstop still hasn’t made an impact with the bat in the majors, as his wRC+ is below league average for the second straight campaign. Winn’s glove keeps him in the everyday lineup, but he hasn’t contributed much to the Cardinals’ surprisingly strong offensive start.

Winn smacked a two-out double in the fifth inning and scored on an RBI knock by Jose Fermin. He then started the seventh with a single and scored on an RBI ground out by Fermin. Winn also singled in the eighth. With his three-hit night, he’s now hitting .242/.321/.324 with just two home runs, 26 RBI and six swipes on the season.

It’s the second straight Sunday that the 24-year-old infielder has gotten a breather after starting every other game during the week. JJ Wetherholt will slide over and cover shortstop while Bryan Torres draws a start at second base and will bat seventh against Twins’ right-hander Taj Bradley.

Winn gets a much-needed breather after playing every inning in each of the team’s last 15 ballgames. He has seen his offensive performance fall off substantially once again this season, slashing just .236/.318/.322 with only two homers, 24 RBI and five stolen bases through his first 239 plate appearances. Jose Fermin will start in his place at shortstop and bat seventh for the Cardinals on Sunday against Reds’ right-hander Rhett Lowder.

Wetherholt underwent imaging Friday that came back clean after he missed two games with groin soreness, which qualifies as a positive development for the Cardinals and fantasy managers. The 23-year-old rookie appears likely to return in the near future, possibly as soon as Sunday’s series finale at Busch Stadium. Fellow rookie Bryan Torres draws another start at the keystone with Masyn Winn moving up to the leadoff spot.

Wetherholt will get a break from having to face Rangers lefty MacKenzie Gore. It’s his first day off since May 16. The 23-year-old top prospect has put together an outstanding rookie campaign, slashing .249/.357/.400 with 40 runs scored, nine homers, 25 RBI and seven steals through 58 games. Thomas Saggese takes over at second base with Masyn Winn moving up to the leadoff spot.