Blaze Jordan, who has evolved into a capable third baseman in his rookie season, suffered a badly sprained left ankle on Thursday when he pivoted to catch George Soriano's wild throw and tagged out Gunnar Henderson in a one-run game. Jordan was placed on the 10-day IL on Friday.
As it turns out, one of the best games of Blaze Jordan’s career with the Cardinals will also be remembered as one where he had to leave with a nasty injury that will interrupt his surprising rookie season.
Jordan, who smashed the first Busch Stadium homer of his career and made the defensive play of the game in the Cardinals 7-5 defeat of the Orioles on Thursday, was placed on the 10-day Injured List with a badly sprained left ankle on Friday. Infielder Thomas Saggese, who had been in Triple-A since being optioned on June 5, was recalled from Memphis to replace Jordan on the roster before Friday night’s game against the Pirates.
After Baltimore had pulled within 6-5 in Thursday’s eighth inning, Jordan pivoted to catch a wild throw from reliever George Soriano and apply a tag on Gunnar Henderson at third base even though his left ankle was twisting beneath the weight of his body. Jordan was unable to continue in the game and needed help from trainer Chris Conroy and manager Oliver Marmol to avoid putting weight on his left foot.
Jordan smashed a center-cut changeup from Tyler Rogers for a three-run homer in Thursday’s second inning to give the Cards an early lead – something they needed after coming into the game riding a five-game losing streak. The 416-foot drive, which landed on the grassy berm beyond the center field wall, left Jordan’s bat at 102.3 mph.
Jordan, 23, wasn’t thought of as much of a third base prospect, but he has played well at the hot corner since being promoted to the Cards on June 12. In 120 total chances at third base, he has committed just five errors.
At the plate, Jordan has slashed .247/.276/.382/.658 with a team-best four triples, three homers and eight doubles. He’s driven in 28 runs, and he has made the Cardinals coaching staff extremely happy with his bat to ball skills as he has struck out just 30 times in 199 plate appearances (15.1 percent).
Saggese, 24, was on the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster, but he struggled at the plate after getting sporadic playing time early in the season. Saggese worked in the offseason and Spring Training in the outfield to try and make himself more versatile, but he was ultimately passed up for the primary utility role by Jose Fermin.
In 32 games with the Cardinals, Saggese went just 14 for 70 (.184) with two doubles, a triple, a homer and four RBI. Cardinals coaches grew increasingly frustrated with Saggese’s inability to lay off pitches out of the strike zone – something that manifested itself in the form of his 26 strikeouts and six walks.
At Memphis, he hit .258 with 10 doubles, 10 homers and 33 RBI while sporting a 22.4 percent strikeout rate and a 10.04 percent walk rate. In addition to being able to play the outfield and third base, Saggese can give the Cardinals defensive support at shortstop with Masyn Winn (fractured left thumb) on the Injured List until Sept. 1.
