Ramón

Urías

Urías was designated for assignment on Wednesday and passed through waivers unclaimed. It’s possible that a club in need of a strong utility infielder could scoop him up for the final 10 days of the regular season.

The Cardinals needed to make space on the active roster for JJ Wetherholt (wrist) to come off the injured list, so
Urías was let go. Given his experience and ability to play all over the infield, there is a chance that some team claims him for a playoff push.

Urías just returned Sunday from missing 3 1/2 months with an elbow injury, so the homer off Trevor Rogers today was his first since Apr. 6. Masyn Winn’s injury has gotten Urías a little more playing time than expected this week, and he’ll be due even more if Blaze Jordan is forced to the IL after getting hurt today.

It’s new news that Winn has a fracture. The Cardinals figure to play JJ Wetherholt at shortstop for now. Nolan Gorman was recalled to replace Winn, but he didn’t play any second base in the minors, suggesting that he’ll remain limited to third base. That’s probably bad news for Blaze Jordan. Bryan Torres, José Fermin and Ramón Urías figure to see time at second base.

Winn has missed the last four games with a thumb injury, so the team can backdate the IL stint. JJ Wetherholt will continue to serve as the regular shortstop, with Ramon Urias and Nolan Gorman potentially forming a platoon at second base until Winn returns.

It’s the fourth consecutive game that Winn has found himself on the bench for due to a thumb issue. He’s still considered day-to-day and the Cardinals are hopeful that he’ll be able to return to action early next week. Ramon Urias will start in his place at second base while JJ Wetherholt slides over to cover the shortstop position.

Urías had been sidelined since early May due to an elbow injury. He completed a lengthy rehab stint at Triple-A Memphis without issue though and is ready to return and provide right-handed pop off of the Cardinals’ bench. Everson Pereira (hand) was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move on Sunday.

Urías, on the IL since early May with an elbow injury, is 6-for-31 with two homers and a 13/2 K/BB in 11 games since resuming a rehab assignment with Memphis. Perhaps the Cardinals will activate him soon in place of Blaze Jordan or Bryan Torres, but releasing him could also be on the table. The 32-year-old Urías is a nice utilityman in theory, but after missing so much time, he doesn’t seem poised to help much this year.

Urías was pulled off of his last minor league rehab assignment in early June after experiencing renewed pain in his left elbow while swinging the bat. It sounds like he’s now fully recovered and ready to go. He’s likely to need at least a few games’ worth of at-bats before he’s ready to rejoin the Cardinals. Barring any setbacks, he should be able to return at some point next week.

Urías has been shelved since May 5 already due to the elbow issue and after being pulled off of his minor league rehab assignment last week following a setback, it appears as though he’s going to be shelved a while longer. This move frees up a spot on the Cardinals’ 40-man roster.