Cardinals: Harrison Bader getting closer to returning

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Harrison Bader is on the IL for the second time this season, but appears close to returning.

The St. Louis Cardinals are tinkering with their rotation and starting lineups in hopes of jump starting their team that now is 6.5 games back in the National League Central. But run prevention has become increasingly important among teams and it just so happens that the Cardinals’ best defender is getting closer to returning.

Harrison Bader announced on his Instagram (h/t to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News Democrat) that he is beginning a rehab assignment with the Palm Beach Cardinals. The news comes just a day after manager Mike Shildt said that an update on Bader’s rehab is imminent, with this being the next step for Bader to clear before he eventually returns.

And boy, do the Cardinals ever need him. The outfield has been one of the Cardinals’ best spots this season, with Tyler O’Neill and Dylan Carlson both stepping up with expanded playing time. Bader’s return would give the team their penciled in Opening Day outfield, putting Bader — a Gold Glove caliber defender — back in center field while shifting Carlson back to the corner outfield.

It would go a long way toward helping the struggling pitching staff to prevent runs when balls are put into play, something that has plagued the Cardinals this season with their inconsistent defense. And when it has happened, their offense has rarely rallied to get them out of that hole — making a habit lately of scoring two or less runs per game.

It’s a frustrating combo for the Cardinals and why they are 36-39 near the halfway point of the regular season. They will eventually bounce back. This team is too talented not to and even then, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak will make some sort of roster upgrade(s) to aid his club.

But Bader’s return will come first and by all accounts, should be some time in the next couple weeks, barring a setback. And for a struggling Cardinals team, a date that can’t come soon enough.