Cardinals Have 'Growing Concern' That Rising Star Will Miss Opening Day

St. Louis may be without one of its most important players to begin the season

One of the St. Louis Cardinals' top young players may not be ready for Opening Day.

Spring Training is in full swing and Opening Day will be here before we know it, but young Cardinals utility man Tommy Edman hasn't been able to be fully cleared yet.

Edman has been recovering from wrist surgery but hasn't been able to fully be cleared yet. It's been unclear if he would be ready for Opening Day but there was optimism. But, internal concern reportedly is growing in St. Louis, according to The Athletic's Katie Woo. 

"Edman continues to progress from the arthroscopic surgery he underwent in October to address an achy right wrist that plagued him for most of the 2023 season, but internal concern is growing that Edman won’t be ready for Opening Day," Woo said. "Edman has yet to be cleared to face live pitching, though he has been active in certain infield drills on the back fields. The current priority for the switch-hitting Edman is to even out his swing, as his left side is ahead of his right side. There’s also the matter of ensuring enough recovery between work days.

"But one look at the calendar will tell you the Cardinals are running out of runway should they want their starting center fielder cleared for Opening Day. The Cardinals have roughly three weeks of exhibition games remaining, and the team would prefer that Edman see game action before clearing him for regular-season play. There is no timetable for Edman to take live swings let alone being cleared for Grapefruit League play."

Edman is going to play a major role with St. Louis this season but this certainly is disappointing news. Hopefully, he can be fully cleared soon and not miss much time.

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