St. Louis Cardinals: Good news for Poncedeleon at end of May

The St. Louis Cardinals may have lost yesterday’s game to the Cubs- and shouldn’t have- but can find solace in the release of great news for prospect pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon.

I hated yesterday’s loss to the Cubs. This was a game in which the St. Louis Cardinals were winning and should have won but the Cubs proved to be the better team yesterday. In the wake of the loss, however, I find joy in the incredible news on Daniel Poncedeleon.

In case you have been living under a rock and have missed the news or in case you haven’t read my articles on Poncedeleon and the scary situation that befell him (shame on you for not reading my pieces), let me fill you in.

Poncedeleon was pitching for the Memphis Redbirds in Iowa facing the Cubs’ AAA team. In the second inning of the game on May 9, Poncedeleon was struck in the head by a come-backer hit by Iowa’s Victor Caratini.

Poncedeleon was removed from the came on a stretcher. Fear set in even in spite of Daniel waving to the crowd as he was removed. He remained in ICU for a week-plus and even underwent a scary skull surgery to relieve growing pressure on his brain.

Head injuries of this nature often bring with them multiple complications and a long road of recovery. Many head injuries end in loss of memory, loss of motor function, and often death. Facing all of these realities could weaken even the toughest of fortitudes. This was not the case for Daniel.

After two weeks in the ICU in an Iowa hospital surrounded by family and friends, Daniel began the process of dismissal but had to wait to be cleared to fly. Three weeks after the nightmare, Poncedeleon climbed onto an airplane and headed home.

Headed home. Let that sink in. A pitcher who was struck with a 90-MPH-plus come-backer square on the temple, who first reports indicated may never walk again, rose from his ICU status and boarded an airplane. Isn’t modern medicine a thing of miracles?

Here’s a look at the tweets that Daniel released showing his gratitude and joy at his release:

The Cubs organization is a great one and winning on the diamond is just one part of any great organization. Filling your staff and teams with good people elevates the organization to another level. As tough as that is to say about a sworn rival, it is true and exemplified in the Daniel Poncedeleon situation.

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What did you do these past three weeks? Poncedeleon struggled for his life, then fought to show his metal, and then celebrated a win bigger than one tossed on the mound. While he was out, the St. Louis Cardinals played near-.500 baseball and the Memphis Redbirds won many games.

Will he return to baseball activities? While it is unlikely that fans will see Poncedeleon return this season, it was also unlikely that he would leave the ICU in the time that he did. I would dare assume that Daniel will return in 2018- if at all- but noting his progression through this scary time, I’m not putting money on anything.

Next: Cardinal's June preview

I’m super excited that Poncedeleon is home now and continuing his recovery. When and if we learn more about his likely, probable, or unlikely return to the St. Louis Cardinals, I will update you here at Redbird Rants as soon as the news is released. Thanks for reading and Go Cardinals!