Jon Jay back from Memphis

ST. LOUIS – Outfielder Jon Jay returned to the Cardinals Saturday, added to the roster when Ryan Ludwick was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left calf.

Some could argue that the 25-year-old outfielder never should have left in the first place after he hit .302 in 26 games for the Cardinals earlier this year. Jay was optioned to Triple-A Memphis in early June when the Cardinals signed veteran outfielder Randy Winn.

But Jay continued to produce in Memphis and with the Cardinals needing an outfielder to take Ludwick’s place, Jay found out after the Redbirds’ game Friday night that he was headed back to St. Louis.

“I think it’s always tough but it’s just part of the game,” Jay said of getting demoted despite contributing last month. “It’s just part of what happens. I just went down there and tried to continue to do what I was doing before, working hard and put together good at bats and try to help my team win. I have another chance here and I hope to do more of the same.”

Jay hit .321 in 42 games for Memphis with 16 doubles, four home runs, 32 RBIs and a .491 slugging percentage.  He will likely platoon with outfielder Nick Stavinoha in right until Ludwick is eligible to come off the disabled list after the All-Star break.

The University of Miami product shook hands with several players in the clubhouse upon his arrival Saturday afternoon, finding his locker had been placed between Aaron Miles and Stavinoha.

“Definitely, just knowing the guys a little bit better now and stuff like that,” Jay said of a renewed comfort level. “But at the same time, I know that I still have to bust my butt everyday and just because I had a little success before, 43 at bats or a month, I want to be able to have long-term success and I still have to put in my work.”

Ludwick was close to returning to the Cardinals lineup when he re-aggravated a calf strain Friday while running on the treadmill. The outfielder was originally diagnosed with cramping his left calf in Toronto on June 22. He returned to the lineup three days later to DH in Kansas City on June 25, but strained the calf while tagging up from third base in the ninth inning.

The move is retroactive to June 26, meaning Ludwick will be eligible to come off the disabled list when the Cardinals return from next week’s All-Star break.

“It stinks but you just deal with it, it’s part of the game,” Ludwick said. “I don’t think anyone likes to go on the DL or be hurt but what are you going to do? I feel like that Astroturf got me. It’s just a tough break. I’m not too worried about it. I’ll rehab and get ready to go hopefully after the All-Star break.”



(foxsportsmidwest.com)