St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson has been on the mend as of late.
The switch-hitting outfielder has been dealing with some arm fatigue and has been limited to designated hitter duties.
The outfielder has been swinging a hot bat as of late, having hit a home run on Monday against the Houston Astros and another one on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers.
Fortunately, Carlson appears to be getting better.
According to Oliver Marmol, the team’s manager, Carlson should be cleared to play center field again by the end of this week.
Cardinals reporter John Denton provided the news on Twitter.
#STLCards manager Oli Marmol said Dylan Carlson (arm fatigue) should be cleared to play CF & throw "by the end of the week."
Carlson, who has lefty HRs each of the previous two days, is in the lineup today as a DH vs. #Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. He hasn't played OF since Thursday.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) March 8, 2023
Fortunately for the Cardinals, this has not compromised Carlson’s ability to hit.
Still, the Cardinals could still use his Gold Glove-caliber defense in the outfield.
The starting outfield figures to consist of Carlson, Tyler O’Neill, and Lars Nootbaar for St. Louis in 2023.
Carlson is likely going to be the one handling center field duties this season, with O’Neill and Nootbaar in the corners, both of whom are also elite defenders.
The 24-year-old earned the starting job in center field after Harrison Bader was traded away to the New York Yankees in exchange for left-hander Jordan Montgomery.
He ultimately saw his playing time decrease late in the season due to struggles at the plate.
Carlson also dealt with more than his fair share of injuries, being forced to nurse hamstring and wrist ailments.
But if healthy, St. Louis will have yet another solid defender in their starting outfield, who could also provide a little bit of power from both sides of the plate.
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