The Cardinals announced this afternoon that both Jack Flaherty and Harrison Bader are headed to the injured list. Flaherty, as a pitcher, lands on the 15-day IL with what the team is calling a right shoulder strain. The position player Bader heads to the 10-day IL as he battles plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
To replace the duo on the active roster, the Cards selected outfielder Conner Capel and reliever James Naile onto the big league club. St. Louis had a pair of vacancies on the 40-man roster after placing southpaws Génesis Cabrera and T.J. McFarland on the COVID-19 list in recent days. Each of Capel and Naile would be making their major league debuts if they get into a game.
Flaherty’s injury is the most notable development. The star right-hander has spent a good chunk of the last two years on the IL, most recently as he’s battled continued shoulder problems. He lost a month last season due to a shoulder strain (in addition to a longer stint with an oblique injury), then spent the first two-plus months of this year on the shelf with what the pitcher identified as bursitis in Spring Training. Flaherty was only just activated for his season debut a couple weeks ago, and he made three appearances before leaving yesterday’s start after the second inning.
It’s an alarming recent injury history, and it seems the 26-year-old is going to miss a notable chunk of time yet again. President of baseball operations John Mozeliak told reporters (including Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat and Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch) that Flaherty’s again dealing with bursitis. Mozeliak said the club was “pretty optimistic” Flaherty will be able to return at some point this season, but he didn’t provide more specifics on a timeline.
Flaherty joins Steven Matz on the injured list, leaving the club with a starting four of Adam Wainwright, Miles Mikolas, Dakota Hudson and Andre Pallante at the moment. Top prospect Matthew Liberatore would seem the logical candidate for the fifth spot, but he has just four MLB appearances under his belt. The Cards sit a game back of the Brewers in the NL Central and seem likely to at least dabble in the trade market for starting pitching before the August 2 deadline, particularly if Flaherty’s indeed looking at another months-long recovery process.
In addition to losing arguably their best pitcher, St. Louis will be down their primary center fielder for at least a week and a half. Bader has started 65 of the team’s 75 games this season, hitting .256/.303/.370 with five home runs through 264 plate appearances. That’s a step back from his offensive production of 2020-21, but he’s swiped 15 bases and consistently rates as one of the game’s top defensive outfielders.
Bader’s absence leaves the club without a true center fielder, as right fielder Dylan Carlson looks likely to slide up the middle for now. That figures to be a notable defensive downgrade, although the Cards do have players like Lars Nootbaar and designated hitter/corner outfielder Juan Yepez capable of subbing in for Carlson in right.
Capel joins that mix, having spent much of his minor league career in right field. Originally selected by Cleveland in the fifth round of the 2016 draft, the Texas high school product was dealt to St. Louis in the Oscar Mercado trade in 2018. He’s spent the past few seasons slowly moving through the ranks in the upper minors, and he earns a big league call with a career-best 2022 showing for Triple-A Memphis.
Over 252 plate appearances this year, Capel is hitting .271/.361/.466. He’s popped nine homers, stolen 16 bags and drawn walks at an excellent 11.9% clip. The 25-year-old hasn’t appeared on an organizational prospects list at FanGraphs or Baseball America since 2019, and the Cards decided against adding him to the 40-man roster last winter — leaving him eligible for selection in a Rule 5 draft which never wound up transpiring. He’s elevated his stock enough in the past couple months to join the big league corner outfield rotation.
Naile, 29, is a seven-year minor league veteran. Originally a 20th-round selection of the A’s in 2015 out of UAB, he remained in the Oakland system through 2021. The right-hander never reached Oakland’s 40-man roster and hit minor league free agency at the end of last year. He signed a non-roster pact with St. Louis over the winter.
After working as a starter for much of his time in the A’s system, Naile has come out of the bullpen for 24 of his 27 outings with Memphis. He’s tossed 46 2/3 innings of 3.28 ERA ball in that new role, often working two innings at a time. Naile has a modest 21.1% strikeout rate, but he’s only walked 5.5% of batters faced. He’s also induced grounders on over 55% of batted balls, a trait the front office has prioritized given the club’s excellent infield defense. He’ll add a multi-inning arm to Marmol’s bullpen.
Jones first reported Naile’s and Capel’s promotions before the team announcement.
They say Mister Bader has a very strong arm
a real stud has two strong arms
And 3 strong legs 😉
Does Bader have a son? In days of yore he would have been addressed with the title Master.
notice he was added to the dl with, jack
When Jack gets back, I think the Cardinals need to find a buyer for this potential “ace”. He is made of glass. Let someone else take a chance on him. His trade value is about as high as it can get. Please don’t call him a star. He hasn’t pitched enough to earn the honor.
he was never an ace
agreed
How could you possibly think Flaherty’s trade value is very high? He has had shoulder problems for the past two years. When he was healthy, he was a top level starter. He is now “damaged goods”, until proven otherwise.
I didn’t say it was high. I said it was as high as it can get. The Cardinals seem to think he is an ace, which he isn’t. Still, I guess he is considered a potential star, but I would prefer he attempt to fulfill this prophecy somewhere other than St. Louis. That would at least clear a valuable and useful roster space.
What do you suggest they trade a player who has been injured for two years in exchange for?
In theory, there should still be some sort of demand for Flaherty since he is under team control. The best trade partner would be some sellers at the deadline who would value that control and potential upside. Royals, Tigers, A’s, etc.
It doesn’t matter what they get in a trade, the roster spot would be reason enough to dump Jack on somebody else.
Wow, Flaherty is down again? Man, I feel for the guy because he has a ton of potential, but it seems at 26-years young, if he’s not healthy now, his problems will only worsen with age.
The Cards have had a nightmare of a time with their pitching staff. Huge potential, but they can’t stay healthy, unfortunately. I can’t even imagine if Cabrera, Hicks Flaherty, and Reyes all stayed healthy and were able to get right…
After Dave Duncan left the Cardinals as the head pitching coach, the Cardinals pitching staff couldn’t stay healthy. Why??? Why not workout to be stronger in areas to help prevent injuries???? Something in their workout and rehabs needs to change.
Yeah, that could very well be the case. The Yankees changed strength & conditioning coaches – it made a huge difference in reducing injuries. So, that’s a great point. They also changed pitching coaches and their pitching went from mediocre to elite with virtually the same pitchers.
Hopefully they realize this because the Cards have such talented players there.
Rut roh. Recurring bursitis generally doesn’t go away, if that’s indeed what he’s suffering from. That’s an “old person’s disease” that when it shows up in young healthy athletes usually makes one suspect the joint is badly compromised.
“Absolute joke”
he’s an absolute jack, ass
This as good an article to post this under as any……..
MLB is long overdue to analyze the reason for all these injuries. It gets worse every year. A consulting group can do a study.
I know the pitchers are getting killed with the endless foul balls. But what’s with the position players? OK, they routinely lean over the plate when batting, but there aren’t that many HBP’s. Taking the long view…..
These players have the best equipment to work out with, multiple skilled credentialed physical trainers, nutritionists, and managers that rest most players so that pitchers are held to a reasonable pitch count and there are hardly any position players that start 150 games a year. It’s a non-contact sport: runners can’t purposely slide into defenders on the bases or at home plate.
The Owners need to join with the Players Union on this one. Players under contract to teams are the owners biggest assets; and an agents job is not to just get their clients the most money but also work to assure their clients have as long and productive careers as possible. Why are so many players so inactive each year?
And while they’re at it…..
This ridiculous rule of calling a base runner out that slides into a bag (particularly on steal attempts) but loses contact with the bag for even one second as he slides past it needs to be overturned. If he regains contact with the bag within 3-4 seconds that should be allowed. The “people in New York” that review the play from 87 angles should be able to handle a rule change there.
How about the stupid rule that allows a base runner to advance a base by “tagging up” after the batter hits a fly ball?
How does THAT make any real sense?
Horrible suggestions by both of you. No offense, but you must not follow the game closely if you’re questioning staying on the bag during a stolen base as well as Jacksson saying that “tagging up” doesn’t make sense.
Explain the sense and logic of that rule then.
I have been following the game for longer than you have walked this earth.
And that rule has been in place LONG before you were born, let alone following baseball. So it’s best not to ask meaningless questions.
I don’t know what you’re getting at about injuries but I completely agree with the losing contact with the base and can’t ever get anyone to talk about it. I want to see the players speed, not the player moving in a controlled enough fashion to maintain contact with the base. If hand slides off a half second before foot contacts it, safe. I would love this change so much
That’s part of what makes it difficult. It’s an art form, not just running as fast as you can, but the ability to control your body and not overrun/slide past the bag. Running the bases and stealing bases isn’t supposed to be easy. Requires much more than just speed.
The point is this…..
Teams are starting to steal again. It’s one reason for the recent Red Sox surge. MLB needs to get away from the 3 outcomes – W, K, HR – to make the game attractive for fans again. This is one way.
The fact is that many of the overturned calls at 2B on steals are because the runner has to slide around the SS or 2B stationed on the bag awaiting the throw. The runner is not allowed to slide into him. So any times I see the runner beat the throw by going around the infielder, but he winds up holding onto the bag but his momentum pulls his hand off for a few seconds.
For the sarcastic comment above, the real problem is due to the asinine rule change that won’t the runner to slide into the infielder. Sliding in and kicking the ball out of his glove used to be an art form…from Ty Cobb to Maury Wills to Lou Brock to Rickey Henderson.
I think the answer to this question is multifaceted. The first answer would probably never be made public by MLB or the Union. Consistent steroid testing has probably resulted in more players getting injured and less players being able to play through the injuries compared to recent eras. Prior to the steroid era, players were probably better able to play through injuries because there was less financial pressure to compete and less talent across the board in the sport.
Today’s high dollar/high visibility environment with the international market providing an increased talent pool has made it almost impossible for a player to gut it out through nagging type injuries. Advances in medical science has also created an incentive for players to seek treatment rather try to play through the pain. What might have been a career ending surgery in 1975, is routine today.
I think context provides most of the explanation for the increase in injuries.
Injuries by contact are only one and not the most common injuries in sports. Sudden powerful movements in one or a small number of joints, especially repeated over and over, are the problem. Pitching is an extremely unnatural motion, especially over hand, and at the power levels they’re now putting in at a very young age injury is inevitable. All pitchers have shoulder injuries. Some are able to pitch through it.
As far as position players go, the rate of injury is nothing compared to the NBA and of course the NFL.
Agree with your points, but…..
Today the Red Sox broadcasters were talking about yet another lengthy pre-game press conference by Chaim Boom in which he went over their injuries and players statuses. At the end he looked at an assistant and asked: “Did I miss any”?
MLB is not the NFL or NBA which are high contact sports. And MLB has never had this degree of literally daily updates on injuries. They play 162 games a year, not 81 or 16. It’s not just hard on the players and manager, the fans don’t know from one day to the next who’s on their roster.
in the old days, lifting weights wasn’t something vaseball players did. look what it causes.
I will miss seeing them play! I hope Flarity does not turn into the Cardinal’s version of Ben Sheets of the brewers. HOF stuff, China Doll body!
It’s BAD enough losing Jack Flaherty,
It’s even more BADER losing Harrison !!
Marmol just doesn’t like Bader. Marmol has a personality conflict with Bader. If Marmol stays in a Cardinals uniform—- you can bet your bottom dollar Bader won’t be in a Cardinals uniform by next season.
What is your basis for this belief? The benching? I saw the benching more as a way for Marmol to establish his authority than anything else. Bader is kind of a hot dog, but he plays very hard and helps you win in multiple ways. I haven’t seen anything to indicate tension there.
if there is tension it’s that marmol the puppet is trying to establish dominance, imo marmol should have never got the job in the first place. he is to young, if was a decent ball player chances are he would still be playing, but he was not and he made a great coach but imo mid 30’s guys should not be a manger it creates the whole “why are you telling me how to play your not much older than me and your only a manger because you couldn’t hack it as a player and now your going to tell me how to be a better player when you couldn’t”. tbh schlidt should of never been fired but mo wanted a yes man so he can manage the team
Cardinals should DFA McFarland when he returns – just hasn’t had it this year
I really don’t know what is going on with Flaherty. According to the article the bursitis diagnosis came from Flaherty, not the team. But the saga really goes back to last season. I still think his “injuries” have as much to do with his displeasure over his contract as anything else. But I also don’t understand why the team is handling him the way they are. It definitely appeared that he didn’t want to be out there during his three starts. If his shoulder was hurting, it seems like they would have figured that out during his rehab assignment and not wasted the bullpen during three half hearted attempts to come back. Bottom line, the Cardinals have known Flaherty was iffy for this season since last year and haven’t done anything address the spot in the rotation.
I hope Capel gets a chance to play a little. He seems like an interesting young player
Flaherty has a very me first air about him.
race related, maybe.
He comments on every trendy progressive woke thing…instead of focusing on baseball.. Maybe that’s it. the mind is a clutter of crap instead of pitching; because he does have talent. Not everybody can do that. Perhaps just think about baseball Jack and see what happens. Not what you think. Clear the mind and Just think baseball
The cardinals have not done the responsible job of shoring up the starting pitching knowing that eating innings and injuries were a huge problem last year. Matz was not enough even if he was remotely effective or healthy.
Why Capel, rather than Burleson, who has a .343/.389/.578 batting line? I don’t get it.
Probably because Capel is able to play center field while Burleson is primarily a left fielder/DH. Although, I do agree that Burleson deserves a shot.
Because they’ll have to remove someone off the 40-man when Cabby and McFarland come off the COVID-IL.. Naile and Capel are expendable.
Burly will be the full-time, lefty DH when he comes up. I assume they’re trying to hold off until next season when Pujols is gone.
Hopefully, he forces the issue. Burleson is a really good hitter, decent corner outfielder. They just don’t have the at-bats right now.
Let’s hear it for the new additions !!
Hope Conner remembers to wear a CAPEL when playing defense !
And that James can NAILE down a spot in the bullpen !
How could you possibly think Flaherty’s trade value is very high? He has had shoulder problems for the past two years. When he was healthy, he was a top level starter. He is now “damaged goods”, until proven otherwise.
I didn’t say it was high. I said it was as high as it can get. The Cardinals seem to think he is an ace, which he isn’t. Still, I guess he is considered a potential star, but I would prefer he attempt to fulfill this prophecy somewhere other than St. Louis. That would at least clear a valuable and useful roster space.
It’ll likely be Naile in his coffin for his 40 man spot when TJ McSuckland comes back and gets smacked around the diamond some more.
He’s gone…Better be.
Plantar fasciitis isn’t a particularly difficult ailment to prevent or treat. Another lack of maintenance injury like Tyler O’Neil is dealing with. These guys need to do the simple things like stretch and open their bodies rather than constantly exercising.
I have had plantar fasciitis off and on for years and it sucks, and I’m in construction, not even a professional athlete. Prevention is difficult because I’m flat-footed. Any ailment where you have to support all your body weight is no fun.
Cardinals are in the same exact situation as last year, Short on innings eaters which was obvious to everybody since last year.