St. Louis Cardinals: Jose Martinez to DL; Magneuris Sierra Promoted

May 6, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jose Martinez (58) walks off the field with trainer Adam Olsen against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jose Martinez (58) walks off the field with trainer Adam Olsen against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sunday morning, the St. Louis Cardinals placed outfielder Jose Martinez on the 10-day Disabled List. 21-year-old Magneuris Sierra was promoted from the Minor Leagues in his place.

For the third time in as many days, a St. Louis Cardinals outfielder had to exit a game early because of an injury. Thursday night against the Milwaukee Brewers, right fielder Stephen Piscotty and center fielder Dexter Fowler left the game early because of hamstring and shoulder strains, respectively.

Saturday evening, Jose Martinez, starting in place of Piscotty, had to exit the game after straining a groin muscle trying to beat out a ground ball in the first inning. Sunday morning, he joined Piscotty on the 10-day DL.

The next man up for the Cardinals is Magneuris Sierra, who celebrated his 21st birthday only a month ago. Sierra, who joined the organization out of the Dominican Republic in 2013, earned organizational player of the year honors as an 18-year-old in 2014.

St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals /

He hits and throws left, and is a natural center fielder. The seventh ranked prospect in the Cardinals’ system, he hasn’t played an inning above High-A ball in his career. Nevertheless, many consider him the best defensive outfielder in the system, and certainly major-league capable defensively.

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For the first time in Sierra’s career, the Cardinals extended him an invitation to Major League Spring Training earlier this year. He went 12-for-31 (.387) at the plate, and got on base at a .424 rate.

At High-A Palm Beach this season, he hit .272/.337/.407 through twenty games to begin the year. In 2014, the year he won player of the year, he hit .386/.434/.505 in the Rookie League.

Besides stellar defense and offensive potential, Sierra brings the element of speed to the game. In five years (361 Minor League games), he’s stolen 81 bases in 120 attempts, good for a 68% rate of success.

The Cardinals wasted no time getting Sierra on the field and in the lineup. He got the start in center field and batting seventh Sunday in Atlanta against the Braves.

With Piscotty and Martinez now on the disabled list and regular center fielder Dexter Fowler being held out all weekend, Sierra may get more than just a couple of at-bats while he’s up in the majors.

Next: A Look At the May Schedule

It’s unlikely Sierra stays on the big-league roster once the injured outfielders return to the field, but this is his first chance to display what he’s capable of. He will wear jersey No. 43.