St. Louis Cardinals avoid the plank versus Pittsburgh Pirates

The Ugly

On Monday, the Cardinals placed Kwang Hyun Kim on the 10-day injured list with left elbow inflammation. After first noting Kim’s possible elbow issues after he pitched four innings on Saturday, we learned the concern dates back to his July 28 start against the Cleveland Indians, which the team lost 7-2.

Manager Mike Shildt noted Kim’s elbow was “barking” after the start against Cleveland and they gave him a break prior to his start against the Royals on Saturday.

Reporters learned of the issues after Matt Carpenter let the information slip during a postgame interview Saturday.

It was frustrating to see Kim struggle after he was seemingly building up his arm to go deeper into games. He was finally reaching the sixth or seventh inning before exiting. Hopefully, the ten day respite allows for healing and time to relax and calm his elbow before putting more work on it.

The move allowed the Cardinals to activate Daniel Ponce de Leon.

In other ugliness, Tyler O’Neill was out of the line up Tuesday due to soreness and illness after getting the second Covid vaccine shot. The second shot has been a doozy for many and shockingly even knocked out our favorite muscled up bro. Robert Murray writes about O’Neill being out here.

O’Neill went zero for four in his return to the line up on Wednesday, striking out twice and leaving four on base. He was out of the line up again on Thursday, but did make a pinch hitting appearance in which he was unsuccessful and struck out.

According to The Athletic’s Katie J. Woo, Wade LeBlanc was headed back to St. Louis after Thursday’s game to get imagine completed on his left elbow. He left after the second inning with arm soreness. Here’s hoping it gets good news.

Woo also reported that Dylan Carlson will get an MRI on his right wrist but will head to Kansas City with the team as they take on the Royals.

In conclusion, the Cardinals had many great moments in this series. All the home runs. Wainwright’s complete game shut out. It was a great series. It leads to high hopes for future series and chances for the Cardinals. The hopes rise especially when you learn we will get to see Jack Flaherty return to the mound on Friday against the Kansas City Royals.

The Cardinals are above five hundred again with. 58-56 record. They are 11 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers and three back from the Cincinnati Reds. The Cardinals are seven games back in the Wild Card.

Here’s hoping the Cardinals continue their winning ways against the Royals in Kansas City this weekend.