The Cards had hoped that by sitting Bader for several games, with the off day tomorrow, he would be ready to play by Friday. Their expectations have not been met, however, and the Cards have placed him on the Injured List, retroactive to April 14. Three days is the maximum length an injured list placement may be backdated, and this specifically is permissible for Bader because he has not played since April 13.

With Justin Williams on the major-league IL himself, the choice for recall came down to either Adolis Garcia or Lane Thomas. Garcia played 21 G with the Cards last year due to several injuries with 2 H in 17 PA, a very small sample. He had been absolutely rocking AAA last year near the time of his addition to the 40-man roster. In 13 G so far with Memphis and 51 PA, he has 11 H, 3 HR, 2 2B and 1 3B with 2 BB and 19 SO for a .234/.280/.511 line. The 37.3% K rate and only 3.9% BB rate has helped drive his wRC+ down to just 85.

Although Lane Thomas was supposed to be the primary center fielder for Memphis, he has been playing mostly LF with Drew Robinson getting most of the time in CF. The Cards added Thomas to the 40-man this offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He hasn't been hitting much either, slapping 6 singles and 2 doubles in 47 trips to the plate. And while he's struck out 16 times, which represents 34% of his PA, he's also walked 10 times for a 21.3% rate. This unusual combination has produced a .229/.383/.286 slash line with an 83 wRC+

With neither man hitting well, and the decision to go for on base percentage instead of power, does that reflect that Cards' belief that Thomas provides the better defensive option in the interim? Maybe someone in the front office will answer...