Thomas

Saggese

Saggese has really struggled with the bat in his limited time with the Cardinals this season, slashing a woeful .184/.244/.276 with just one homer and four RBI in 82 plate appearances. With Lars Nootbaar (heel) returning from the injured list on Friday, he was squeezed off of the active roster. He should get another opportunity with the big league club before the summer is through.

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.

Saggese got the nod over Nolan Gorman against Shota Imanaga, but he was replaced by Gorman as soon as the lefty exited so that Gorman could strike out and pop out in two at-bats. The Cardinals really ought to give Saggese a look over Gorman at this point. After all, they were just willing to bench Pedro Pages, who, despite his offensive decencies, has easily been a more valuable player than Gorman as a major leaguer.

Wetherholt receives his second day off this season with Royals lefty Noah Cameron on the mound during Saturday afternoon’s matchup after going 0-for-5 during Friday’s extra-inning marathon. The 23-year-old rookie sensation has been outstanding in his Cardinals debut, hitting .237/.358/.408 with 33 runs scored, eight homers, 22 RBI and five steals across 204 plate appearances in 44 games. It’ll be Thomas Saggese at second base in his place on Saturday afternoon.

Saggese returns to St. Louis, just a couple days after being sent down to play everyday at the Triple-A level, with veteran Ramón Urías hitting the injured list with an elbow issue. The 24-year-old has struggled at the dish and is unlikely to play enough to make any sort of fantasy impact.

It’s been a rough start to the season for Saggese, who is slashing .170/.228/.208 with a 33 percent strikeout rate in 57 plate appearances. He has solid minor league numbers, but he now owns a .239/.283/.318 slash line in 404 MLB plate appearances, which is not promising.

No word on the reason for the move. Thomas Saggese takes over in left field to face Guardians starter Joey Cantillo.

Winn was removed from Friday’s game after being hit by a pitch just below his right knee. He sat out Saturday’s game as a precautionary measure and it sounds like he needs at least another day before he’ll be ready to return to action. The encouraging news for fantasy managers is that it doesn’t sound like he’ll require a trip to the injured list. Thomas Saggese will take his place at shortstop once again on Sunday and will bat eighth against Brayan Bello and the Red Sox.

Winn is getting some extra time off to rest and recover following an early exit from Friday’s game after being hit by a pitch just below his right knee. The 24-year-old shortstop has been diagnosed with a lower leg contusion and isn’t expected to require a lengthy absence. Thomas Saggese takes over at shortstop in his absence.

Winn will miss another game after exiting Friday’s matchup versus Detroit with tightness in his hip. He’s still considered day-to-day, but he’ll at least begin Sunday’s contest on the bench with Thomas Saggese getting the start at short and hitting sixth.