Cardinals Slugger Reportedly Could Be On His Way Back To Field; Could Trade Shortly Follow?

St. Louis could have one of its best players back in the near future

The St. Louis Cardinals certainly have struggled so far this season but may finally be getting healthier. 

St. Louis has been bitten by the injury bug in a major way so far this season. The Cardinals entered the 2023 campaign with a logjam in the outfield but that certainly has changed as Dylan Carlson, Tyler O'Neill, and Lars Nootbaar all have dealt with various injuries throughout the campaign. 

Carlson finally returned to the lineup on June 9, but Nootbaar and O'Neill still are recovering from injuries. St. Louis received a positive update about Nootbaar on Wednesday and the club reportedly received more good news Thursday about O'Neill's potential return to the lineup, according to MLB Trade Rumor's Nick Deeds. 

"Also meeting with a doctor to determine the next steps today is Cardinals outfielder Tyler O'Neill, who has been out since early May with a low-back strain," Deeds said. 
"As noted by Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, O’Neill received two injections to reduce inflammation in his back after heading to Los Angeles for a second opinion earlier this month, with O’Neill noting that he was “pain-free” for the first time in months. The outfielder is set to meet with the doctor who delivered those injections today for an exam. If cleared to return to baseball activities, O’Neill could begin his rehab process as soon as tomorrow."

If O'Neill could begin a rehab assignment and return to the Cardinals' lineup shortly, he only could help. St. Louis' offense has stalled as of late, so adding another bat like O'Neill's to the lineup could give the club a boost. Also, with the Cardinals currently 15 games below .500, there are sure to be some changes on the horizon. The 2023 MLB Trade Deadline is quickly approaching and O'Neill has found his name in trade rumors all season. 

If he's able to return to the lineup shortly, he could give St. Louis a much-needed boost. Even if the club can't turn things around, maybe it could be a solid audition for potential trade suitors.

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