St. Louis Cardinals: Rookie Aledmys Diaz Activated from Disabled List

May 15, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz (36) hits a sacrifice fly to score St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Randal Grichuk (15) in the 8th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz (36) hits a sacrifice fly to score St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Randal Grichuk (15) in the 8th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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The St. Louis Cardinals infield became a little more deeper earlier today, as the team activated rookie shortstop Aledmys Diaz from the 15-day disabled list.

Aledmys Diaz sustained a hairline fracture in his left thumb when hit by a pitch in a late July road game against the Miami Marlins. The injury sidelined the rookie from St. Louis Cardinals Major League action for nearly six weeks.

Prior to the injury, Diaz kept the St. Louis Cardinals in Wild Card contention with a .312 batting average, 12 home runs and 57 RBIs . Since making his Major League debut on April 5, Diaz represented St. Louis in the All-Star game and only trails Corey Seager in WAR (3.2) among MLB rookies.

During his recent rehab assignment with the Springfield Cardinals, Diaz collected three hits, one RBI and a pair of walks. The 26 year-old played a full nine innings at shortstop in his last three appearances, during which Springfield competed in the Texas League playoffs.

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In the upcoming weeks, Diaz will likely be eased back into the second spot in the batting order, where he has 21 extra base hits and a .363 OBP. His return also offers the Cardinals more infield depth, as St. Louis has rotated Jedd Gyorko, Jhonny Peralta and Greg Garcia at shortstop in his absence.

Diaz is one of multiple rookies quietly contributing to a youth movement on the Cardinals current roster. Alex Reyes, Luke Weaver and Carson Kelly have also excelled since their promotions last month, while first-year pitcher Seung-Hwan Oh has converted 17 saves as St. Louis’s closer.

Next: St. Louis Cardinals: All is Not Lost For the Postseason

The St. Louis Cardinals compiled a 19-17 record in Diaz’s absence. While there are no immediate plans for his workload moving forward, Diaz’s return is important as St. Louis continues their pursuit for sixth straight postseason bid.