By Chris Brown – STL Baseball Today

UPDATE: Diaz cleared waivers and is no longer on the 40-man roster, Rob Rains of STL Sports Page reported July 10. Diaz will remain at Class-AA Springfield.

Read story below for more.

Original Story: The Cardinals have designated minor-league infielder Aledmys Diaz for assignment in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for first baseman Dan Johnson, who was recalled on Wednesday before starting at first base that evening.

With Johnson’s recall, the team needed to move a player off the 40-man, and, as Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports, the team felt Diaz has the best chance of passing through waivers unclaimed compared to other DFA candidates due to his contract. Diaz, 24, signed a four-year, $8 million contract with the Cardinals as an amateur free agent back in March of 2014, but has yet to see action above the Double-A level.

The Cuban infielder spent significant time on the disabled list in 2014 with a shoulder injury, but returned to hit a promising .273 with 5 home runs and 7 stolen bases in 161 at-bats.  He’s largely disappointed this season at Double-A,  though, as he owns just a .235/.292/.344 slash line headed into play Thursday. In the field, Diaz has appeared strictly at shortstop this year, committing eleven errors in 273 chances (.960 fielding %).

 

Feature image used under Creative Commons from Ron Cogswell. No changes made. Image License.