The rehabilitation process so far has been successful for Cardinals SS Paul DeJong. After fracturing a bone in his left pinky finger on May 17th, DeJong has passed all tests by the Cardinals medical staff to resume baseball activities and started a rehab assignment with AAA Memphis on Friday night.
“I feel great, I’ve been going through my progressions. I’m not trying to rush back into anything to quick but my strength is coming back, my mobility, range of motion all feel good. Taking swings I feel like the ball is coming off the same way (it was before the injury). I’ve been trying to get my legs back under me and see some pitches so that when I go back I’ll be ready to step right back in.”
DeJong went 1-for-3 in his first game back with a double and a run scored Friday night. In Saturday’s suspended game, DeJong went 1-for-2 with a single and a very nice unassisted double play to end the 4th inning before the rain ended play.
A healthy Paul DeJong would be a huge boost to the Cardinals. If everything goes as planned, his return should be soon.
“I’m expecting to be off tomorrow and get a work out in. Try to reset my body, and then plan on playing full nines coming up after that. I have to play more to get my legs underneath me, gets some more at bats, but honestly I feel pretty good in these last couple games. I’m really happy where I’m at (now).”
At the halfway point, the Cardinals need something to get themselves back on track. Hopefully the return of their SS Paul DeJong can help the team turn the corner and lead the team to a postseason birth
