photo: Paul DeJong via Zoom (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
St. Louis Cardinals press release
The St. Louis Cardinals announced they have placed shortstop Paul DeJong (dee-YOUNG) on the 10-day Injured List with a left rib non-displaced fracture, retroactive to May 13. Infielder Max Moroff (moer-AWF) was selected from the Memphis (AAA) roster, while RHP Jordan Hicks was transferred from the 10-day to the 60-day Injured List.
DeJong, 27, was removed from Wednesday’s game after being hit by pitch in the 7th inning by Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta. The Cardinals shortstop had played in 35 games batting .177 and tied for the team lead with seven home runs and 17 RBI.
The last time DeJong was on the Injured List, not related to COVID-19, was July 2018 when he missed 45 games with a fractured left hand after being hit by pitch.
Moroff, who turned 28 yesterday, was batting .538 (14-26) with four home runs and nine RBI in seven games of the Triple-A East season for Memphis. He posted five multi-hit games in those first seven games with a multi-home run game contributing to five RBI at Nashville on May 11. The switch-hitter ranks 3rd in the league in batting, T-2nd in home runs and T-7th in runs batted in; while ranking 2nd in on-base percentage (.647), slugging percentage (1.115) and OPS (1.762).
Moroff was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2012 and last played in the Major Leagues on May 1, 2019 for the Cleveland Indians. His career numbers in 104 Major League games are a .183 batting average with 7 HR and 34 RBI.
Hicks, 24, was placed on the 10-day Injured List on May 4 (retroactive to May 2) with right elbow inflammation and had missed 10 games before being transferred to the 60-day Injured List.
Moroff will wear uniform number 67.
Brian Walton’s take
DeJong’s move to the IL was hinted upon strongly by Cardinals manager Mike Shildt on Thursday. Hicks’ shift to the 60-day was a bit of a surprise with the implication that he cannot return until early July at the earliest.
Though fellow MLB-experienced middle infielder Jose Rondon had been the choice to travel with St. Louis’ taxi squad this season, the Cardinals are recognizing Moroff’s exceptionally hot start with Memphis.
Shildt praised Moroff’s play defensively, including shortstop, as well as his switch-hitting during spring camp. The manager said Moroff, Edmundo Sosa and presumed fill in starter Tommy Edman are “all playable at shortstop.”
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