With Dylan Carlson sidelined for several weeks with a shoulder injury, speedster Victor Scott will be the starting center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals on Opening Day, manager Oliver Marmol said Tuesday.
An MRI revealed that Carlson suffered a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder Monday night after landing hard on the warning track following a collision with teammate Jordan Walker. Carlson will return to St. Louis instead of traveling with the team for Thursday’s opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers, president John Mozeliak told reporters.
Carlson’s injury is the latest setback to the Cardinals’ outfield. Tommy Edman, who was originally expected to start in center field, is on the IL with a wrist injury. Left fielder Lars Nootbaar received the same designation because of fractured ribs.
Carlson had taken advantage of Edman’s absence to lead the Cardinals in spring training with three home runs and 13 RBIs.