The St. Louis Cardinals announced this afternoon a series of coaching moves at the Major League level. Senior Vice President/General Manager John Mozeliak announced that Mike Shildt will assume third-base coaching duties and handle outfield defense, as coach Chris Maloney will be re-assigned to a new role within the organization. Maloney was in his sixth season with the Major League team and second as third-base coach. Shildt joined the Major League club this season as a quality control coach, and has been in the organization since 2004.
The team also announced that assistant hitting coach Bill Mueller has taken a leave of absence. In his place, Mark Budaska will join the Major League club as assistant hitting coach. Budaska is in his 10th season with the Cardinals, spending all previous nine seasons as the hitting coach at Triple-A Memphis. Additionally, Ron “Pop” Warner will join the Major League club to assist the coaching staff.
Mozeliak also announced that second baseman Kolten Wong will be activated from the disabled list prior to tonight’s game vs. Philadelphia. To make room on the club’s 25-man roster, infielder Jhonny Peralta will be designated for assignment. Wong had missed 13 games on the disabled list with a left elbow strain and had played in three games at Peoria (A) on a rehabilitation assignment (1-7, HR). This season the second baseman is hitting .278 (37-133) and ranks 3rd on the team with 11 doubles. Peralta missed 26 games earlier this year with an upper respiratory condition, and had appeared in 21 games with 14 starts at third base.
Budaska will wear uniform No. 79, Warner will wear uniform No. 75.
