The St. Louis Cardinals will be without their two best hitters when the Cards play an interleague two-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays this week. Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado cannot travel with the team into Canada due to that country’s COVID-19 protocols. Canada requires visitors to be vaccinated – Goldschmidt and Arenado are not.
“Obviously, it’s a couple of big names in the sense of Mr. Goldschmidt and Mr. Arenado,” said Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. “But we’re going to go up there and do the best we can. Someone else will get some opportunities.”
One of those players could be rookie catcher Iván Herrera. He’s already been called up from Memphis and will make the trip to Toronto. Veteran catcher Austin Romine cannot cross the border because he is also unvaccinated.
Cardinals’ relief pitcher Johan Oviedo will stay home, too, but for another reason. His Cuban passport is expired and the team couldn’t get it renewed in time.
Mozeliak said he knows some fans will be frustrated over the situation and other people will understand.
“It’s always a tricky one but over the last two years, we’ve all had to learn how to handle some maybe uncomfortable situations,” said Mozeliak.
In the other Cardinals news, pitcher Steven Matz is going back on the injured list. Matz was added Sunday to the 15-day IL with a left knee strain suffered Saturday against the Reds. The game in Cincinnati was his first start since May 22, when he left the game after only fourth pitches. Turns out he had a left shoulder impingement.
Mozeliak said it’s extra frustrating because Matz was pitching well when he had to leave the game Saturday night.
“It’s super unfortunate because he was someone we were counting on for innings,” he said. “As we keep on marshalling through this season, we’re going to have to keep on the lookout for something.”
Mozeliak said it’s still “TBD” as to what the Cardinals might do, if anything, before the Aug. 2 trade deadline.
James Naile has been called up from Triple-A Memphis to fill Matz’s roster spot.
