Matt Holliday Could Return Within the Next Week

It looks like the St. Louis Cardinals might be getting their star outfielder, Matt Holliday, back sooner than expected. Holliday has been taking batting practice for about a week now with no issues arising from it. According to a source, Holliday just needs to continue to rehab with his running, and he’ll be back in the lineup within the next week.

Matt Holliday was injured on June 8 after suffering a grade two tear in his right quadriceps, and even though the star left fielder has been sidelined for almost a month now, the Cardinals haven’t suffered as much as many fans thought they would. In his place came Randal Grichuk, who has seven home runs this season despite only having 161 at-bats. (The average starters have about 300).

Even though Grichuk has done a wonderful job filling in for Matt Holliday, he seems to have cooled off, only batting .136 in his last seven games. Grichuk hasn’t recorded a hit since he went three for five against the Chicago White Sox on June 30. Grichuk is still a great backup option, and his age at only 23 years old leaves plenty of room for development, but St. Louis needs their star back.

Matt Holliday may not have the power numbers that we’re used to this year, but his reaching base in 45 consecutive games, along with the .300+ batting average, is enough reason for any fan to want him back on the field. Matt Holliday was on a tough streak, as his average went from .318 down to .303 from May 30 to June 8, so hopefully after a month, he doesn’t remember that streak.

There is little need to rush Matt Holliday. Even though some of the backups are starting to slide, if the Cardinals really need to wait till after the All-Star break, I say they should definitely do it. With the depth they have, they don’t need Matt Holliday getting injured again in his first game back. The way Mike Matheny talks, Holliday could be ready before then. If that’s true, then the Cardinals might be able to ride into the All-Star break on a winning streak.

Next: St. Louis Cardinals Recall OF Tommy Pham, Option LHP Tim Cooney to Triple-A

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