Predicting which roster moves the Cardinals' will make after terrible road trip

The Cardinals need a shakeup after their terrible road trip, here are the moves I think they will make before their homestand

The St. Louis Cardinals just finished their west coast road trip, going 2-8 over the three series they played. The Cardinals are now 10-19 on the season and in danger of ending their playoff hopes before the end of May.

I talked recently about some trades the Cardinals could make to try and improve their roster immediately, but with how rare early-season trades tend to be, I doubt that is the direction they go in. Instead, I think we will see a series of roster moves on Monday or Tuesday before the Cardinals begin their series against the Los Angeles Angels at home.

While swapping some of the Major League players with guys in Memphis may not seem like a huge change for the club, it could provide a spark in the clubhouse and a fire underneath those who remain. You can't start off as bad as the Cardinals have so far and not make significant changes to your roster.

Some would argue that Oli Marmol should be let go or that the front office needs changes, but I just do not see that happening for the organization right now. They will move some players around and see if a fresh mix makes a difference, and if not, some heads may begin to roll in the coaching staff and front office.

Here are the roster moves I think will happen before the Cardinals begin their homestand.

Move #1 - Adam Wainwright activated from the injured list and Jake Woodford optioned to Triple-A Memphis

I think Jake Woodford sealed his fate with the club with Sunday's start against the Dodgers. In 3.2 innings, Woodford gave up four hits and three walks while allowing three runs. There's a chance he is relegated to the bullpen, but I'm guessing he ends up in Triple-A instead.

Honestly, Adam Wainwright hasn't looked great in his rehab starts. I think the club will see his return as something the clubhouse can rally around, and even if he's not great, it could help provide a spark for the team.

In Wainwright's rehab start on Sunday, he went 5.2 innings while giving up seven hits, one walk, and four runs while striking out nine batters. Let's hope the bright lights in St. Louis bring out the best in Wainwright, and that his leadership helps turn this team around.

Move #3 - Juan Yepez is recalled, Taylor Motter optioned once again

The best thing for Juan Yepez is to be getting everyday at-bats somewhere. The best thing for the Cardinals is to have his bat available to them, whether that is off the bench or in their lineup.

Yepez has done nothing but hit in Memphis this year, and with how the Cardinals' lineup is performing, it's hard to know why he isn't in the mix. It further complicates the log jam with Yepez on the roster, but who cares at this point?

Taylor Motter's role on the club is basically as a roster filler right now, and while that actually works well when the other position players are firing on all cylinders, the club needs to go with all of their best options right now.

I would expect Yepez to DH against left-handed pitching, get some starts against right-handers, and then be a great bat off the bench for St. Louis for the foreseeable future.