Heading toward Friday’s trade deadline, getting a starting pitcher seemed to be the focus for the St. Louis Cardinals. But now, acquiring an outfielder might become more of a priority.
Matt Holliday, who just returned from the disabled list, suffered a strained quad muscle running to first base during Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to the Reds. He grabbed his leg in pain before reaching the bag and immediately went to the dugout, where he could barely stand. The left fielder had just returned from the disabled list two weeks ago after being sidelined with the same injury.
This can’t be good. Matt Holliday limped to first base and took a seat on the floor of the #stlcards dugout. pic.twitter.com/xZZwKZfMGh
— FOX Sports Midwest (@FSMidwest) July 30, 2015
Holliday was scheduled to undergo a MRI to determine the severity of the injury, but considering he’s already been on the DL with a quad issue, he figures to be out of the lineup for a while. The previous quad strain kept Holliday sidelined for 31 games.
Stephen Piscotty presumably becomes the Cards’ left fielder in the immediate future. However, general manager John Mozeliak might now be compelled to look for an outfielder before July 31? Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes are two of the bigger names on the trade market. Jay Bruce and Carlos Gonzalez would likely require giving up more than the Cardinals would prefer. But St. Louis could pursue a less marquee name such as Gerardo Parra or Rajai Davis to provide depth instead.
Heyward on Holliday’s injury coming two days before trade deadline: “I guess the front office has some extra thinking to do.” #Cardinals
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) July 30, 2015
The Cardinals were already talking about acquiring Adam Lind from the Brewers, which would add a needed left-handed bat to the lineup as well as allow players like Piscotty and Mark Reynolds to help out in left field.
Holliday was having a solid, if unspectacular season, before struggling through these leg injuries. In 253 plate appearances, he batted .291 with an .833 OPS, 13 doubles, four home runs and 31 RBI.
