Cardinals manager Mike Shildt announced Wednesday that outfielder Harrison Bader would not open the season on St. Louis’ active roster due to a flare-up of a forearm issue that has plagued him throughout spring camp.
Bader sat out for a stretch of Grapefruit League action earlier in the spring because of the ailing forearm, but the injury was described at the time as one that only has impact on the center fielder’s defensive game. He felt some discomfort when throwing, not hitting, so the simply Cardinals eased off him in hopes that some rest would alleviate the problem.
That strategy was not successful.