Cardinals activate Peralta, demote Sierra to AA

This afternoon, the St. Louis Cardinals announced that they have activated infielder Jhonny Peralta from the 10-day Disabled List, where he had been with an upper respiratory condition, and in a corresponding move demoted outfielder Magneuris Sierra to AA Springfield.

Peralta has struggled mightily in 2017. In 27 plate appearances, Peralta is batting .120/.185/.120, and his wRC+ is currently -14. While one start is probably a bit too early to make any calls on the matter, that the surging Jedd Gyorko remains batting cleanup for the Cardinals while playing at Peralta’s former starting position of third base may suggest that, for now, Peralta will remain a bench bat and spot starter rather than an everyday player for the Cardinals.

In order to make room for Peralta, the Cardinals sent outfielder Magneuris Sierra to AA Springfield, which will be the highest level of the minor leagues at which Sierra has ever played, having arrived in St. Louis from high-A. Sierra has played well in his time with the big club, batting .367/.406/.367. However, with Stephen Piscotty likely soon to be activated, Sierra was likely to be a man without much of a role with the Cardinals, and it is probably in the best interest of all parties that the electrifying 21 year-old play on an everyday basis.

For tonight, the Cardinals will only have three active outfielders—starters Tommy Pham, Dexter Fowler, and Randal Grichuk. All three have played center field in their careers, and if something were to happen to one of them, it is likely that the Cardinals would turn to Matt Adams or Aledmys Diaz to play in left field, where each has made appearances (several in the case of Adams) in 2017.