Cardinals: Harrison Bader could return against the Rockies

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Harrison Bader is making significant progress and could return against the Colorado Rockies.

It feels like each update on St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Harrison Bader has been encouraging, with the latest being that he was ready for rehab game action. He went 1 for 2 in a rain shortened game for Double-A Memphis on Tuesday.

It now appears that Bader returning to the Cardinals is imminent, as manager Mike Shildt told reporters (including Katie Woo of The Athletic) that “there is hope” Bader could return for their upcoming series against the Colorado Rockies. He is currently on his way to St. Louis for further evaluation before being activated.

Getting Bader back would be a huge boost for the Cardinals, getting an elite defensive center fielder back and shifting Dylan Carlson back to the corner outfield. But while Bader has struggled offensively in years past, he showed signs of improvement in a short stint this season, hitting breaking balls with much more success, something that had plagued him in years past.

Bader’s eventual return could not come at a better time, as the Cardinals are set to play series in Colorado and San Francisco, which are two of the most spacious parks in baseball. Getting him back will only help a pitching staff that has struggled to prevent runs and will also make life on Carlson and Tyler O’Neill a bit easier in the corner outfield positions.

It also gives the Cardinals one less need to worry about at the deadline as they prepare to corner the starting pitching market. They will likely add a bat, considering their offensive inconsistencies, but should be okay in the outfield unless it’s a left-handed bat. In that case the team could pursue Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta, who should be cheap and a solid No. 4 outfielder for the team.

But Bader’s return is a significant development for the Cardinals and considering their recent fall from first place, it could not be coming at a better time. They need him. Badly.