St. Louis Cardinals: Paul DeJong to start rehab if doctor approved
![SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 11: Paul DeJong #12 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a three-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on May 11, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fredbirdrants-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F05-2F957528484-850x560-4d8e6ef1d48079ad1cb6cf4578bc1138.jpg)
The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that pending a physician’s check, their ailing shortstop could begin his rehab assignment with his former AAA team while they are on the road.
Paul DeJong is to see a doctor on Thursday with hopes of receiving the go-ahead to return to baseball action. This is great news for the St. Louis Cardinals who would love to welcome back DeJong’s bat and defense.
Should the doctor give the okay, DeJong is set to join the Memphis Redbirds- the AAA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals- when they land in Des Moines for their set on the road.
DeJong played for the Memphis Redbirds in 48 games in 2017. This was after he impressed the brass during his AA 2016 year and even more so during the fall league play following that season.
At the age of 23 in 2017, DeJong posted an offensive slash of .285/.325/.532 during his time with Memphis. These numbers again impressed the front office and he was promoted for his MLB debut on May 28, 2017 when the St. Louis Cardinals faced the Colorado Rockies.
I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Paul’s mother and father and both of them shared their perspective of his call-up. If you missed those interviews, the links are here below:
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Looking back, as we prepare to look forward, DeJong played second base, third base, and shortstop for the Redbirds. These three positions made him prime material for the St. Louis Cardinals and prime material for the Rookie of the Year. He didn’t win the ROY in 2017, but came in second.
Second is impressive and put the Cardinals on the map in 2017– a season that would have otherwise been unimpressive.
So DeJong is set to join Memphis if he is approved. He has worked very hard to come back from the left hand fracture and has done so admirably. If he is approved, he will join a Memphis Redbirds team that is firmly atop the PCL division of the minor leagues.
I can only imagine that the Redbirds will welcome back their impressive infielder and will do all they can to assist him with is return to action. Then, after, the St. Louis Cardinals will roll out the red carpet for DeJong.
Next: Alternatives to John Mabry
DeJong and Yadier Molina are two prime examples of the fortitude of St. Louis Cardinals players in their work and urgency to return from injury. The news of DeJong’s return is welcomed good news!