The St. Louis Cardinals have endured a season full of setbacks and injuries that continue to make the franchise’s return to the playoffs more difficult than necessary.

For example, the Cardinals thought they had no problem with catcher Wilson Contreras when he returned from the injured list in late June, but a recent incident forced St. Louis’ best hitter back to the sidelines.

The loss of Contreras was a major blow to a Cardinals lineup that is looking to get back into shape toward the end of the season. On the positive side, a young Cardinals star has reached a milestone on his way back to the roster and will hopefully return soon.

“(Cardinals) center fielder Michael Siani (oblique muscle strain) will play five innings tomorrow for Triple-A Memphis, manager Oli Marmol said,” John Denton of MLB.com reported Monday. “He will go seven innings and will not return to the Cards until after playing nine-inning games on consecutive days.”

Siani had a .256 batting average with 10 extra-base hits, including two home runs, 18 RBIs and an OPS of .622 in 101 games for St. Louis before suffering his injury in the first week of August.

The 25-year-old should be a surefire Gold Glove Award candidate due to the incredible defensive skills he has shown in the Cardinals’ center field this season. Hopefully he returns with enough time to finish what he started.

The speedy outfielder’s return won’t be too important to the Cardinals’ lineup, as Siani is primarily a contact hitter. St. Louis needs offensive power, but a center fielder who can get on base and steal balls is certainly coveted.

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