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.
The 23-year-old Scott, meanwhile, will be the beneficiary of the team’s bad luck. He earned a non-roster invite to spring training after stealing 94 bases between Class-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield last season.
“He is the starting center fielder,” Marmol told reporters Tuesday. “If he’s here, he’s going to play. He’s here to play. I’m extremely excited to watch him.
“Two things come to mind with this kid: He’s confident in his abilities and he embraces competition. Secondly, he has a personality that even if he’s tested and faces adversity, he’s going to come out of it just fine. It’ll be fun to watch.”
Scott has hit .316 with a triple and four stolen bases in 13 spring training games.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
