St. Louis Cardinals Send Down Top Rookie Jordan Walker to Triple-A

Wednesday afternoon, the St. Louis Cardinals optioned top prospect Jordan Walker to Triple-A Memphis. In a corresponding roster move, the Cardinals signed Taylor Motter to a Major League contract, days after the club designated for assignment and the infielder passed waivers.

The St. Louis Cardinals sent their best prospect down to Triple-A Memphis Wednesday afternoon, while signing a veteran to a Major League contract.

Jordan Walker, MLB Pipeline's no. 2 overall prospect in all of baseball, was optioned to Triple-A Memphis Wednesday, after batting .274 with a .321 On Base Percentage, .718 OPS, two home runs, 11 RBI and two stolen bases. In a corresponding roster move, the club signed Taylor Motter to a Major League contract.

OF Jordan Walker has been optioned to Memphis (AAA).

INF Taylor Motter cleared waivers and has been signed to a Major League free agent contract. pic.twitter.com/5BggQMZA1J

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 26, 2023

Just three days ago, the club designated Motter for assignment. In a surprising turn of events, he returns to the Cardinals after passing through waivers, receiving a Major League contract.

In seven games, Motter slashed .222/.300/.633 with one RBI and zero home runs. Motter has seen limited time at the Major League level, since making his big league debut back in 2016. Motter played 92 games with the Seattle Mariners in 2017. Since, he hasn't played more than 16 games at the Major League level in a season. The 33-year-old journeyman has made a habit out of bouncing between Triple-A and MLB. Since 2018, he has appeared in 34 total games, playing for the Mariners, Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds.

This time, however, Motter is here to stay. It appears he will provide infield depth to the Cardinals' Major League team all season long.

Walker opened the season on the Cardinals' Major League roster, skipping Triple-A entirely. The 20-year-old played 119 games at Double-A Springfield last season. Now, he'll get some work in at Triple-A before returning to the Cardinals' big league roster.

The Cardinals enter Wednesday at 9-15, in dead last in the National League Central division.

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