St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Tommy Edman Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Even after outfielder Dylan Carlson was activated from the injured list on Friday, the Cardinals have opted to leave Tommy Edman in center field, where he seems poised to stick for the foreseeable future, as noted by Katie Woo of The Athletic. Manager Oli Marmol expressed support for Edman’s glovework in center field, telling reporters (including Woo) that the switch-hitter “has done a really nice job in center,” calling his work in the outfield “darn impressive.”

Edman has paired his quality glove with a roughly league-average offense so far in 2023, as the 28-year-old utility man has slashed .246/.306/.417 in 221 plate appearances this season, good for a wRC+ of 98. While that figure represents a definitive step back from Edman’s .265/.324/.400 slash line in 2022 (108 wRC+), it’s worth noting that Edman’s .265 BABIP so far this season would be the lowest of his career over a full season, far below his career .303 figure.

While shifting a Gold Glove middle infielder to the outfield is a risky move when it comes to preserving infield defense, the Cardinals are fortunate to have quality options in Nolan Gorman, Brendan Donovan, and Paul DeJong up the middle, with veteran superstars Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt flanking them at the infield corners. With Edman sticking in center field, Carlson has been used in right field since his return, with youngsters Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson patrolling left.

Of course, the club will have to revisit Edman’s hold on center field as more injured outfielders, such as Tyler O’Neill and Lars Nootbaar, return from the IL. That being said, it seems that any such decision won’t be coming any time soon, as O’Neill saw his rehab paused due to continued back discomfort at the end of May. Meanwhile, Nootbaar has only just begun to hit off a tee after going on the IL with back spasms last week per MLB.com’s John Denton.

In more positive injury news, Denton notes that left-hander Packy Naughton, who has been on the IL with a forearm strain since early April, is poised to make a Triple-A rehab appearance Sunday. Prior to his injury, Naughton impressed with five scoreless innings where he allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out five, good for a 1.88 FIP. Upon his return, Naughton could factor into the St. Louis bullpen alongside the likes of Andre Pallante and Genesis Cabrera as the club relies on Ryan Helsley, Jordan Hicks, and Giovanny Gallegos in the late innings.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Nuggets star has worrying comment about latest injury
Broncos 'very unlikely' to bring back former NFL interceptions leader
Greg Olsen offers broadcasting advice to Tom Brady
Yankees' Juan Soto reacts to Hal Steinbrenner contract talk
Mets star has theory about closer Edwin Diaz's recent struggles
Scottie Scheffler arrested, still makes PGA Championship tee time
Timberwolves chew up Nuggets to force Game 7
Rangers secure spot in conference finals after stunning third-period comeback over Hurricanes
Xander Schauffele makes history in first round of PGA Championship
Yankees' Hal Steinbrenner shares massive Juan Soto contract update
Steelers' Cameron Heyward addresses contract holdout
Knicks star ruled out for potential closeout game
Dodgers starter undergoes season-ending UCL surgery
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney gives smug response about not using transfer portal
Caitlin Clark's debut was most-watched WNBA game in more than 20 years
Watch: Chris Kreider's natural third-period hat trick shatters Hurricanes' comeback hopes
Veteran NFL safety will either play for this team or retire in 2024
Former Red Wings head coach linked to open NHL job
How Patriots' Drake Maye has already impressed Jacoby Brissett
LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry among Forbes' highest-paid athletes for 2024