By Chris Brown / STL Baseball Today | @cbrown_STLBBT | June 6, 2016, 6:17 pm CT
By Keith Allison / CC Image / No changes made
The Cardinals addressed their crowded infield situation on Monday, optioning second baseman Kolten Wong to Triple-A Memphis to open up a roster spot for Jhonny Peralta, who’s slated to be activated from the disabled list on Tuesday in Cincinnati.
Wong signed a five-year, $25.5 million contract extension with the Cardinals just over three months ago after batting .262 with 11 home runs and 61 RBIs in 2015. In the midst of a 2-29 slump, the club optioned Wong, who was expected to be the odd-man out upon Peralta’s return, to the minors to get consistent playing time and work on his swing.
The 25-year-old was slashing just .222/.306/.591 with one home run and five RBIs in 49 games this season.
“It (stinks) hitting where I am, so I’m going to do whatever I can to put in the work to get back to where I need to be,” Wong, sensing a potential demotion, told Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Sunday night.
Although GM John Mozeliak and manger Mike Matheny gave little indication of what move was upcoming, one thing that has been clear recently is the club’s overall plan upon Peralta’s return. Hot-hitting rookie Aledmys Diaz will remain at shortstop most days, with Peralta starting at third base and Matt Carpenter shifting over to the right side of the infield, usually manning second base.
Greg Garcia and Jedd Gyorko will serve as reserve options for the redbirds in the infield.
“I feel like (Peralta’s return is) going to create a fresh opportunity for us, but I also feel like given what you’re seeing out of Diaz at his age (25) you really need to see him develop at shortstop,” Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at the end of May.
Peralta, who was slated to start the season at shortstop prior to tearing a thumb ligament in the spring, has over 200 games of experience at third base in the majors, but hasn’t played the position since 2010 with Detroit.
Carpenter played in 132 games at second base during his 2013 All-Star season and also has 57 games of experience at first base in the big-leagues.
For his part, Carpenter, who spent time prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Giants working out at second base in preparation for Peralta’s return, said he’s more than open to the move.
“I take pride in the ability to go other places instead of being the guy who is stuck over there because you can’t do anything with him,” the 30-year-old told MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch. “I just like playing baseball, I really do. I think it’s one of the reasons that they’re OK with moving me around because, one, I don’t shy away from it, and, two, I love playing.”
The moving of Peralta and Carpenter, two veteran players, from the positions they’ve played the past few seasons shows the confidence the Cardinals have in Aledmys Diaz, who the club regards as their shortstop for years to come.
“When you look at what he’s been able to do, seeing him hold that spot for the next five or six years is reasonable to think,” Mozeliak said last week.
More from STL Baseball Today:
Matt Carpenter named National League Player of the Week
Quick Hits: Pena and Maness progressing, Cards sign pitcher Williams to minors deal
Mozeliak: Jhonny Peralta likely to be activated Tuesday, will be starting third baseman
Redbirds Roundup: Moss’ pinch-hit homer ties Cards record, Reyes impresses again
