Edmundo Sosa Injury News & Updates

Sosa is out of the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader with Atlanta, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Sosa went 4-for-18 with a home run, a stolen base, two RBI and three runs while making five starts in the Phillies' past seven games, but he'll be back on the bench for the first game of Monday's twin bill. Despite the uptick in playing time of late, Sosa still looks to be viewed as a utility man and doesn't have a direct path to an everyday spot in the lineup.

Sosa went 2-for-4 with a triple and a two-run homer in Monday's 10-4 win over the Giants.

Sosa put the Phillies ahead 3-1 with a two-run blast off of Sean Manaea in the second inning before picking up his second triple of the year in the fourth. It's an encouraging effort for Sosa, who's now 4-for-6 over his last three games, though he's retreated to a utility role since Bryce Harper's taken over as the Phillies' primary first baseman, moving Alec Bohm back to third. Overall, the 27-year-old Sosa is batting .252 with eight homers, 28 runs scored, 23 RBI and a .721 OPS across 228 plate appearances this season.

Sosa is not in the lineup for Sunday's game at Cleveland.

Sosa leads the Phillies with 51 starts at third base this season, but he'll likely see that playing time drop now that Bryce Harper is seeing action at first base. That's the case Sunday, with Alec Bohm moving to the hot corner while batting seventh.

Sosa (leg) is out of the lineup Tuesday versus the Brewers.

Sosa made an early exit from the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Padres due to a leg cramp, but he scored a run off the bench in Sunday's series finale and should be available in the same capacity as the Phillies open a three-game set against Milwaukee. Alec Bohm is starting at third base and batting seventh for the Phillies on Tuesday.

Sosa exited the second game of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Padres due to a cramp, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Sosa had a rough half-inning in the seventh, reaching base on a hit by pitch to the hand and then getting lifted after looking gimpy running from second to third. However, it looks like he's managed to avoid a serious injury in both cases. Consider Sosa day-to-day.

Sosa was lifted from the second game of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Padres with an apparent leg injury, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Sosa came up lame while running from second to third in the seventh inning and was removed for a pinch-runner. He had reached base after being hit on the hand by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Sosa went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run against the Cubs in Wednesday's 8-5 win.

Sosa entered Wednesday mired in a massive June swoon during which he was batting a paltry .174 with no homers, no walks and 13 strikeouts over 46 plate appearances. For one game at least, he showed that he is still capable of contributing at the plate, as he kicked off a big offensive night for the team with a two-run shot in the second inning. Sosa's primary contributions to the Phillies are versatility and defense, and given his ugly 2:43 BB:K on the campaign, there's little reason to believe he's headed for a sudden surge at the dish.

Sosa is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Sosa had started over Drew Ellis at third base in both of the past two games, but both players will see their roles decline after the Phillies reinstated Alec Bohm (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Sunday. Ellis was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move, while Sosa is expected to serve as a utility infielder moving forward with Bohm taking back his usual spot at the hot corner in Sunday's series finale with the Dodgers.

Sosa is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Even with Alec Bohm (hamstring) recently landing on the injured list, Sosa hasn't been able to recapture an everyday role in the middle infield at the corner spot opposite Kody Clemens. Drew Ellis has instead emerged as the Phillies' preferred third baseman, but both he and Sosa will take a seat Wednesday while Josh Harrison mans the hot corner.

Sosa is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Sosa is 2-for-20 in his past eight contests and will take a seat Sunday for the second time in Philadelphia's last three games. Drew Ellis is starting at the hot corner in the series finale.

Sosa isn't starting Friday against the Nationals, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Sosa has recorded just one hit -- a home run on Wednesday -- over his last six games and will take a seat to start Friday's contest. Drew Ellis will take Sosa's spot at third base and bat ninth.

Sosa is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against Atlanta.

Sosa will sit for the third time in four games as the Phillies go with Alec Bohm at third base and Kody Clemens at first against right-hander Charlie Morton. The first two months of the season have been night-and-day for Sosa; he's batting .226/.255/.264 in May after slashing .305/.323/.542 in April.

Sosa isn't in the Phillies' lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.

Currently 0-for-6 in his last three games, Sosa will sit out for the second time in three days. He'll be replaced at third base by Josh Harrison, who will bat ninth.

Sosa is not in the starting lineup Wednesday versus the Diamondbacks.

Sosa will head to the bench after he went 0-for-2 in Tuesday's 4-3 loss. Alec Bohm will slide over to the hot corner while Kody Clemens draws the start at first base and bats sixth in the series finale with Arizona.

Sosa is absent from the Phillies' lineup for Monday's contest versus the Diamondbacks, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Sosa has struggled in May following a nice April, although he did have five hits over the weekend against the Cubs. Josh Harrison will be at third base Monday.

Sosa is not in the starting lineup against the Giants on Wednesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Sosa will sit for the second straight game with the infielder currently in the midst of an 0-for-14 skid over his last four games. Alec Bohm will handle the hot corner and hit seventh with Kody Clemens hitting ninth while lining up at first base.

Sosa is not in the starting lineup Tuesday at San Francisco.

Alec Bohm is covering third base and hitting seventh against the Giants and right-hander Alex Cobb. Kody Clemens will play first base and hit ninth. Sosa enjoyed a strong April but is batting just .189 with a .420 OPS in 41 plate appearances since the calendar flipped to May.

Sosa will sit Saturday against the Rockies.

In the absence of Rhys Hoskins (knee) and Darick Hall (thumb), the Phillies have settled on a corner-infield configuration of Sosa at third base and Alec Bohm at first in most games. That was the setup for the last eight games, but it will be Kody Clemens at first and Bohm at third this time around.

Sosa is not in the starting lineup Saturday versus the Astros.

Sosa tallied two doubles and two runs scored in the Phillies' defeat of the Astros on Friday, but he'll grab some rest Saturday in the second game of the three-game set at Minute Maid Park. Alec Bohm is at third base and Kody Clemens will play first.

Sosa is in the Phillies' lineup Wednesday versus the Mariners for the fifth straight game, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia Philadelphia reports.

It's also Sosa's third straight start against a right-hander. The Phillies' injuries are part of the equation, but Sosa has earned the playing time by batting .311/.333/.578 with three home runs. Sosa's emergence at third base has meant a shift over to first base for Alec Bohm.

Sosa went 1-for-4 with a home run in Tuesday's loss to Seattle.

Sosa got the Phillies on the board in the fifth inning, launching a 421-foot solo homer off Marco Gonzales to cut the Mariners' lead to 2-1. It's the third home run of the year for Sosa, surpassing his total in 176 at-bats last year. The 27-year-old Sosa has gotten off to a strong start, playing regularly while the Phillies battle a rash of injuries. He's now slashing .311/.333/.578 with seven RBI and three runs scored through 48 plate appearances this season.

Sosa (back) is starting at third base and batting ninth Friday against the Rockies.

Sosa missed five straight games due to a lower back injury, but he managed to avoid the IL and returns Friday to a shiny .344/.353/.625 batting line in 34 plate appearances on the year. He should be a regular presence at the hot corner moving forward.

Sosa (back) remains out of the lineup Thursday versus the Rockies.

It's the fifth straight absence for Sosa, who tweaked his lower back last weekend. He was scheduled to visit with a specialist Wednesday in Chicago. Josh Harrison is playing third base and batting ninth Thursday against Colorado, with Alec Bohm covering first base and hitting seventh.

Sosa (back) will be examined by a doctor in Chicago on Wednesday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Sosa hasn't played since Saturday because of a sore back. The expectation is that he will be available off the bench Wednesday in an emergency, so it sounds like he's still expected to avoid the injured list.

Sosa (back) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Sosa hasn't made an appearance since exiting Saturday's 13-0 loss to the Reds with back discomfort, paving the way for Josh Harrison to pick up more work at third base. Though he'll be on the bench for the fourth consecutive game, Sosa doesn't appear to be at risk of a trip to the injured list. According to Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Sosa is considered day-to-day and would have been available off the bench for Tuesday's doubleheader in an emergency situation.

Sosa (back) is out of the lineup for the first half of Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox.

Sosa has been sidelined since experiencing discomfort in his lower back Saturday, but it doesn't sound like anything overly concerning. Josh Harrison is playing third base and batting ninth for the Phillies in the first game of the twin-bill at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Sosa (back) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds,

Sosa left Saturday's game against Cincinnati with discomfort in his lower back, and he'll sit for at least one more game for the series finale. Josh Harrison will handle third base duties while Alec Bohm makes the move over to first base for the contest.

Sosa has left Saturday's game against the Reds with low back discomfort, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Lauber notes that Sosa went down at third base after getting hit by a hard grounder during the pregame workout, and it's possible that played a part in Sosa's departure. Alec Bohm has moved to third base, while Kody Clemens takes Sosa's place in the lineup and will play first.

Sosa went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-3 win over the Reds.

Every Phillies starter got at least one hit and the team combined for six extra-base knocks among 13 total hits, but Sosa's second-inning shot off Connor Overton was the only homer of the bunch. With Alec Bohm needed at first base, Sosa has seen consistent playing time at third, and while he's responded with a .300 batting average (9-for-30) with two doubles, two homers and five RBI on the season, his 0:9 BB:K suggests he won't keep up that level of production for long.

Sosa is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

The Phillies have been using a rotation of players to fill the lineup spot vacated by Darick Hall (thumb), but Sosa looks to be ahead of fellow utility players Josh Harrison and Kody Clemens at the moment. Sosa will be on the bench Wednesday, however, after starting in three of the previous four games. Clemens will get the nod at first base while Alec Bohm shifts back across the diamond to third base.

Sosa is starting at third base and batting seventh Tuesday versus the Marlins.

Alec Bohm is at first base and hitting fifth. Sosa boasts a .333 batting average and .871 OPS through 19 plate appearances this season and should continue to see regular playing time as the Phillies march on without Darick Hall (thumb) and Rhys Hoskins (knee).

Sosa is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.

Following Darick Hall's (thumb) move to the injured list, Sosa started at third base in both of the past two games while Alec Bohm shifted across the diamond to cover Hall's usual spot at first base. Sosa acquitted himself well over the weekend with three hits -- including a solo home run -- over seven at-bats versus Cincinnati, so despite sitting out Monday, he may have the edge of serving as Hall's regular replacement in the lineup. Kody Clemens will get the starting nod at first base Monday, however, while Bohm settles back in at the hot corner.

Sosa will start at third base and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Reds.

After going 1-for-3 with an RBI while starting at third base against a left-handed pitcher (Nick Lodolo) in Saturday's 3-2 win, Sosa will get another opportunity to man the hot corner, this time with a righty (Connor Overton) on the mound. With Alec Bohm expected to see more time at first base moving forward while Darick Hall (thumb) is on the injured list and Rhys Hoskins (knee) is out for the season, Sosa may get the chance to play on a near-everyday basis if he continues to perform reasonably well at the plate.

Sosa is likely to be needed more at third base with Rhys Hoskins (knee) possibly facing a lengthy IL stay, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Sosa had been slated for a super-utility role, but the Phillies might have to regularly play Alec Bohm at first base to account for the loss of Hoskins, who went down with an ugly-looking left knee injury Thursday in camp. Sosa has played all around the diamond defensively this spring while delivering a stellar .457/.558/.857 batting line with four home runs and two stolen bases through 43 plate appearances. That kind of power can't be counted on in the regular season, but he does have great speed.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday that he believes Sosa can play center field, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Sosa has logged two starts in center over the last three days, and it sounds like the Phillies want to continue running him out there as a potential right-handed-hitting complement to the left-handed-hitting Brandon Marsh. Sosa can also play all around the infield and is set up to function as a highly-active super-utilityman this year for the reigning NL champs.

Sosa is dealing with some tightness but is expected to be fine after having to exit Monday's game versus the Orioles following a hit by pitch on the right forearm, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Initial reports suggested Sosa was hit on the right hip, but evidently it was actually his forearm. Either way, he's expected to be fine. Sosa started at his natural shortstop position Monday, but he's also being tried out in center field this spring as he tries to increase his versatility.

Sosa was removed from Monday's game against the Orioles after being hit on the right hip by a pitch, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

It didn't look overly serious, and with it being the fourth inning Sosa's day might have been nearly over, anyway. While Sosa's removal seemed precautionary, we should find out more about his status soon.

Sosa is being looked at in center field, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Enquirer reports.

As Coffey notes, both Nick Maton and Matt Vierling were traded to Detroit in the Gregory Soto deal over the winter, so there's no obvious backup option behind Brandon Marsh in center. Enter Sosa, who certainly has the athleticism for the position, and would also provide a right-handed bat that could play in the middle of the outfield against southpaws. Sosa is battling for a spot on Philadelphia's Opening Day roster, and if he can help in the outfield, it would obviously increase those chances substantially.

Sosa agreed to a one-year, $950,000 contact with the Phillieson Friday to avoid arbitration, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

It's the first year of arbitration eligibility for Sosa, who was acquired by the Phillies from the Cardinals at the trade deadline last season. The 26-year-old had a .227/.275/.369 slash line with two home runs and six stolen bases in 78 games and should fill a utility role for Philadelphia in 2023.

Sosa (hamstring) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Friday and is present on the Phillies' roster for the NL Wild Card Series against the Cardinals, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Sosa missed the last few weeks of the season with a hamstring strain but has been cleared to play in the playoffs. The 26-year-old produced a .227/.275/.369 slash line in 78 games between the Cardinals and Phillies this year and will be a utility option in the infield for Philadelphia now that he's healthy.

Sosa (hamstring) traveled to St. Louis to meet the Phillies ahead of Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Cardinals on Friday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

It's unclear if Sosa will be reinstated from the injured list and included on Philadelphia's roster for the wild-card round, but the fact he joined the team in St. Louis rather than continuing his rehab program is an encouraging sign for his recovery. The 26-year-old had a .227/.275/.369 slash in 78 games this season and will fill a utility role if included on the playoff roster.

Sosa is dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, which could end his season, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The Phillies acquired Sosa as a defense-first utility man at the deadline, but he's been better than advertised at the plate in limited action, slashing .315/.345/.593 across 59 plate appearances. Yairo Munoz was recalled Friday to fill his utility role and now seemingly has a path to remain on the roster the rest of the way.

Sosa (hamstring) is expected to spend more than the minimum 10 days on the injured list, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Sosa left Thursday's game against the Marlins with a right hamstring strain and was placed on the injured list the next day. There are only 20 days left in the regular season, so Sosa will miss at minimum half of the remainder of the campaign and potentially the entire rest of the year. Yairo Munoz was called up to fill his utility role.

Sosa (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a strained right hamstring, sfssf reports.

After being removed from Thursday's loss to Miami while walking with a noticeable limp, Sosa was officially diagnosed with a strained hamstring Friday. No timetable has been put in place for his return, but spending the minimum 10 days on the IL would still allow him to return before the postseason.

Sosa was removed from Thursday's loss to the Marlins with right hamstring tightness, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Sosa went 0-for-2 with a strikeout prior to his exit due to the injury. The specifics of the issue remain unclear, and the 26-year-old should be considered day-to-day until his status is updated.

Sosa went 3-for-3 with a two-run home run, a double and three total RBI In Wednesday's 4-3 win over Miami.

Sosa put Philadelphia on the board with a two-run homer to left field in the third inning, and he plated the decisive run with a double in the seventh. He finished with his second three-hit performance of the campaign, with his previous such effort coming a week ago against Arizona. Sosa has gone 5-for-5 with his first two homers of the season, two doubles, and four RBI over his past two contests.

Sosa went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI in Monday's 4-3 win over the Reds.

Sosa knocked home a pair in the top of the third inning on a single to left field, and he would tack on an important insurance run in the fifth with a double to left. The infielder was just 2-for-9 at the dish entering the day since landing with Philly near the trade deadline, so his multi-hit performance is a welcome sight for his new club.

Sosa went 0-for-0 with two stolen bases in a 1-0 loss to the Mets on Saturday.

Sosa came on to pinch run for Rhys Hoskins in the top of the ninth with his team down by a run. He immediately stole second and then also took third on a double steal to put the winning run in scoring position after J.T. Realmuto was walked aboard with two out. Sosa now has five stolen bases in six attempts over 141 plate appearances with a slash line of .185/.248/.269. He should continue to see pinch-running opportunities from his backup role.

Sosa was traded from the Cardinals to the Phillies on Saturday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Sosa spent the first four seasons of his major-league career in St. Louis but will get a chance of scenery after he slashed .189/.244/.270 with 17 runs, eight RBI and three steals over 53 games to begin the year. The 26-year-old saw inconsistent playing time with the Cardinals over the first half of the season and will likely serve as infield depth for his new team.

Sosa (leg) is starting Saturday against Cincinnati, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa didn't appear off the bench during Friday's series opener against the Reds, but he'll start at shortstop and bat eighth after moving past his leg injury. The 26-year-old has gone 3-for-11 with a double, three RBI, a run and a stolen base over his last four games.

Sosa (leg) isn't starting Friday against the Reds, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Sosa exited Saturday's game against Cincinnati due to an apparent leg injury and won't be in the lineup for the Cardinals' first game after the All-Star break. It's not yet clear whether the 26-year-old will be available off the bench.

Sosa left Saturday's game against the Reds with an apparent leg injury after crashing into the wall while chasing a foul ball, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Sosa remained down initially and appeared to be in significant pain, but he was able to walk off under his own power. He reportedly avoided a fracture and is merely considered day-to-day, though it wouldn't be a surprise if he skips Sunday's series finale in order to secure some extra rest heading into the All-Star break.

Sosa is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa is back on the bench after he started in five of the last six games while going 2-for-18 at the plate. Though Brendan Donovan (illness) is out of the lineup for the fourth game in a row, he doesn't appear to be in jeopardy of landing on the injured list, so Sosa likely won't see his opportunities increase moving forward.

Sosa will start at third base and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Phillies.

With Nolan Arenado getting a rare day off, Sosa will fill in at the hot corner for what will be his fifth start in six contests. Sosa has benefited in part from Brendan Donovan (illness) sitting out the last three games, so Sosa will be at risk of falling back into a utility role whenever the rookie is cleared to rejoin the lineup.

Sosa is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Sosa recently made three consecutive starts, but he'll stick on the bench for a second straight contest to close the weekend now that Nolan Gorman has shaken off a hand injury. Expect the 26-year-old to serve in a utility role moving forward now that St. Louis is at full strength in the infield.

Sosa went 2-for-4 with a triple, a stolen base and two runs scored in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Marlins.

With Tommy Edman getting a rare breather, Sosa was able to stay in the lineup against Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara. Sosa made the most of his opportunity, hitting his second triple in as many games and adding his second steal in three attempts this year. The shortstop is now batting .207 through 97 plate appearances, so he's got a long way to go before coming anywhere close to a solid place in the lineup. He's added five RBI, 16 runs scored, three triples and two doubles this year.

Sosa went 1-for-3 with an RBI triple and a run scored in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Marlins.

Sosa plated the first run of the Cardinals' four-run rally in the fifth inning, and he scored on a Tommy Edman single to tie the game at 3-3. While playing time has been limited for Sosa, this was still his first hit since June 4 -- he went 14 at-bats without one. The shortstop is batting a meager .193/.237/.261 with a stolen base, five RBI, 14 runs scored, two triples and two doubles through 93 plate appearances in mainly a reserve role this year. The switch-hitting Edman will likely continue to start at shortstop against most right-handed pitchers and some lefties.

Sosa has started just six of the Cardinals' 17 games in June.

Sosa is mired in an 0-for-14 skid across his last seven games, and he's failed to take hold of a starting role at shortstop. With the emergence of rookies Nolan Gorman and Brendan Donovan, Tommy Edman has been pushed to shortstop against most right-handed pitchers. Sosa's lack of hitting -- .188/.233/.235 slash line in 90 plate appearances -- could also put his spot on the 26-man roster at risk. Paul DeJong has clubbed nine home runs with 29 RBI and 22 runs scored in 31 games since he was sent down to Triple-A Memphis, though he's only batted .228 in that stretch, and his flash of power could eventually see him overtake Sosa again on the organizational depth chart.

Sosa is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Sosa will take a seat after he went 2-for-5 with a double, a walk, two runs and an RBI in Sunday's 18-4 win over the Pirates. Though Sosa was the Cardinals' starting shortstop for the final two games in Pittsburgh, he's expected to fill a utility role moving forward with Tommy Edman shifting over to shortstop to open up the keystone for rookie Nolan Gorman.

Sosa (ankle) is starting Saturday against Pittsburgh, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Sosa didn't appear in the last two games while dealing with an ankle injury, but he'll start at shortstop and bat eighth during Saturday's matchup. Over his last five games, he's gone 5-for-15 with two runs, an RBI and two strikeouts.

Sosa (ankle) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Sosa had started in four of the Cardinals' last five games, but his absence from the lineup comes as little surprise after he exited Wednesday's 11-4 loss with an ankle issue. Despite getting a solid dose of playing time lately, Sosa still looks to be behind Tommy Edman and Brendan Donovan in the pecking order in the middle infield when St. Louis is at full strength. Sosa was awarded the start at shortstop Wednesday because Edman was managing a sore calf, but Edman is back in the lineup Thursday.

Sosa was diagnosed with a strained left ankle after leaving Wednesday's game against the Mets.

Sosa went 1-for-2 and suffered the injury when he was caught attempting to steal second base during the fifth inning. It's interesting the injury was announced a strain rather than a sprain, and he's been labeled day-to-day.

Sosa was removed from Wednesday's game against the Mets with an apparent leg injury, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Sosa appeared to suffer the injury when he was caught stealing during the fifth inning, and he initially remained in the contest before being replaced in the field. He should be considered day-to-day since the specifics of the injury are unclear.

Sosa is out of the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Mets, William Ladson of MLB.com reports.

Sosa closed out the weekend with a second straight start at shortstop and went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in the Cardinals' 15-6 win over the Giants, but he'll give way to Brendan Donovan at shortstop for the afternoon game Tuesday. Given that Donovan bats from the left side, he could end up handling the larger side of a platoon at shortstop with the righty-hitting Sosa. Donovan has thus far done little to jeopardize his standing atop the depth chart, as he's provided a 1.015 OPS in his first 32 MLB plate appearances.

The Cardinals activated Sosa (illness) from the COVID-19-related injured list Thursday.

He'll assume the active roster spot of Kramer Robertson, who was optioned to Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move. Sosa has been on the IL since testing positive for the virus May 3, but he cleared all COVID-19-related protocols a week later and played in rehab games Tuesday and Wednesday at Double-A Springfield, going a combined 3-for-8 at the plate. Though he'll be on the bench for Thursday's game against the Orioles as he rejoins the Cardinals, Sosa should get the chance to vie for an everyday role at shortstop following the demotion of Paul DeJong to Triple-A earlier in the week. Brendan Donovan will pick up his third consecutive start at shortstop Thursday.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Sosa (illness) could return from the COVID-19-related injured list as early as Thursday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

After clearing MLB's COVID-19 protocols, Sosa reported to Double-A Springfield to begin a rehab assignment as he works to regain conditioning following a week-long quarantine. He's scheduled to play the full game Tuesday, and Mozeliak said Sosa will play all nine innings for Springfield again Wednesday. If all goes well after he plays on back-to-back days, Sosa may not only find himself activated from the IL, but also in position to step into an everyday role at shortstop. Brendan Donovan will pick up the start at shortstop Tuesday against the Orioles following the struggling Paul DeJong's demotion to Triple-A Memphis earlier in the day, but Mozeliak said Sosa will have "every chance" to supplant Donovan for the job once he's available, according to John Denton of MLB.com.

Sosa (illness) has cleared the COVID-19 protocol and is on a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Sosa's time with Springfield is likely to be short. He'll need a few reps to get back up to speed before rejoining St. Louis. Expect Sosa to return to a competition for playing time at shortstop with Paul DeJong once he's officially activated.

Sosa was placed on the injured list by the Cardinals on Tuesday.

The Cardinals didn't specify a reason for Sosa's absence, nor did they note which injured list he'd been placed on, which follows the pattern teams have frequently used when they send players to the COVID-19 injured list. Assuming that's the case for Sosa, it's unclear when he'll return, as it hasn't been revealed whether or not he tested positive for the virus. Juan Yepez was recalled to take his place on the roster.

Sosa went 0-for-2 with a hit-by-pitch and a stolen base in Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Diamondbacks.

The Cardinals were only able to put four runners aboard Saturday against Merrill Kelly and a pair of relievers. Sosa has started to mount a playing time challenge to primary shortstop Paul DeJong, though both infielders are below the Mendoza line. Sosa is slashing .174/.269/.174 with three runs scored and a stolen base in 26 plate appearances, but all four of his hits have been singles. He'll need to show more at the dish to justify a larger role.

Sosa will start at shortstop and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Reds.

Sosa will pick up his second start in three days with Paul DeJong mired in a 5-for-36 slump (.139 average) to begin the season. According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, manager Oliver Marmol said it's "too early" to say that DeJong's standing atop the depth chart is in question, but the skipper noted that the 28-year-old will remain out of the lineup Monday against Mets right-hander Max Scherzer. Expect Sosa to pick up another start Monday, and he could have a chance to make a legitimate run at the everyday shortstop job if he impresses over the next two days.

Sosa has lost the battle for the Cardinals' starting shortstop job to Paul DeJong, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Sosa moved ahead of DeJong on the depth chart last season, hitting .271/.346/.389 while his teammate struggled to a .197/.284/.390 line. DeJong was given the chance to win his old job back this spring, however, and he was able to do so. Expect Sosa's at-bats to be limited early in the year as a result, though he could certainly reclaim the role if DeJong stumbles out of the gate.

Sosa entered the spring in competition with Paul DeJong to be the Cardinals' Opening Day shortstop, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

DeJong has a slight edge for the starting role at this point, but Sosa is right in the mix. Through three spring games, Sosa is 2-for-7 with a double and three RBI, though he's also struck out four times. The 26-year-old may not win the starting job out of spring training, but he figures to keep the position a competition throughout 2022. Sosa hit a solid .271/.346/.389 with six home runs, 27 RBI, 39 runs scored and four stolen bases in 113 contests last season.

Sosa (wrist) is starting Saturday's game against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa had been out of the lineup in each of the last seven games due to a wrist injury, but he went 1-for-1 off the bench Friday. He'll start at the keystone and bat seventh while Paul DeJong serves as the starting shortstop.

Sosa (wrist) is not in the lineup Friday against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa will be on the bench for the seventh straight contest as he continues to manage a right wrist injury, The Cardinals have secured their place in the playoffs, so the 25-year-old won't be rushed back this weekend. Paul DeJong will receive another start at shortstop.

Sosa (wrist) remains on the bench for Thursday's game against the Brewers, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa will sit for the sixth straight game as he recovers from a right wrist injury. The Cardinals have little incentive to rush him back, as they clinched a playoff spot Tuesday. Paul DeJong remains the starting shortstop.

Sosa (wrist) isn't starting Wednesday's game against Milwaukee, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Sosa will be out of the lineup for a fifth straight game as he continues to deal with a right wrist injury. He hasn't yet resumed swinging, but the team is optimistic that he'll be able to do so soon. Manager Mike Shildt said Wednesday that he isn't concerned about the 25-year-old's injury but said he'll likely receive some more days off prior to the end of the regular season. Paul DeJong will start at shortstop and bat sixth.

Sosa (wrist) remains on the bench Tuesday against the Brewers, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa will sit for the fourth straight game after he was hit in the wrist by a pitch Friday against the Cubs. He hasn't appeared off the bench in any of the three previous games, and it's unclear if he'll be available in that capacity Tuesday. Paul DeJong remains the starter at shortstop.

Sosa (wrist) is not in the lineup Sunday against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa continues to recover from the right wrist injury he suffered when hit by a pitch during Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader in Chicago, and it's not a major surprise to see him on the bench again Sunday. The 25-year-old will have Monday's scheduled off day to aid in his recovery before potentially missing more time. Paul DeJong will receive another start at shortstop in his absence.

Sosa (wrist) remains on the bench for Saturday's game against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa left the first game of Friday's doubleheader after a pitch hit him in the wrist. While he avoided a fracture, he's expected to take at least a few days to heal. Paul DeJong remains the shortstop Saturday.

Sosa (wrist) isn't starting the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Sosa was removed from Friday's matinee after he was hit in the wrist by a pitch, but initial scans revealed no fracture. Paul DeJong will start at shortstop and bat eighth in the nightcap.

Sosa escaped without a fracture after getting hit in the wrist by a pitch Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa was clearly worried about a serious injury, as he immediately ran down the tunnel for treatment. Initial scans indicate he's avoided a fracture, so he should be able to return within three-to-five days.

Sosa exited the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs after getting hit by a pitch in the wrist, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Sosa immediately ran off down the tunnel, which seemingly indicates that he thought he was dealing with a fairly serious injury. Anything more than a bruise would likely wipe out the remainder of his season at the point in the campaign. Paul DeJong entered as his replacement and would likely reclaim his starting role at shortstop should Sosa be forced to miss time.

Sosa went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI doubles and a run in a win over the Padres on Sunday.

Sosa plated Tyler O'Neill with his two-baggers in both the first and fifth innings, giving him his second multi-hit effort in the last four games. The 25-year-old's offense has been a revelation this season, as he's now carrying a .277/.348/.405 slash line and has knocked in six runs over his last eight games with some timely hitting akin to Sunday's.

Sosa went 2-for-4 with a single, a homer and two runs scored in Wednesday's 11-4 win over the Mets. He also drew a walk.

Sosa went oppo for his sixth home run of the season, driving a ball into the bullpen at Citi Field off Heath Hembree. The infielder has had a scalding finish to the summer, as he's hitting .344 since Aug. 1. His numbers certainly indicate someone worthy of a move up in the batting order, and manager Mike Shildt seemingly agrees. In August, Sosa's average batting order position in games that he started was 7.47. Thus far in September, it's 6.78.

Sosa (wrist) went 1-for-5 with an RBI single in a win over the Mets on Monday.

The infielder made his return to the starting nine after a four-game absence due to wrist soreness, with his two-at-bat cameo as a defensive replacement in Sunday's contest versus the Reds teeing up Monday's start. Sosa's ninth-inning RBI knock extended the Cardinals' lead to 6-0 at the time and pushed his average over eight September games to an impressive .308 (8-for-26).

Sosa (wrist) will start at shortstop and bat seventh Monday against the Mets.

Sosa checks back into the lineup after he was on the bench for the past four games with a sore left wrist. Before the injury surfaced, Sosa had supplanted Paul DeJong as the Cardinals' top shortstop. Dating back to Aug. 14, Sosa is slashing .371/.446/.565 with 12 runs and 12 RBI.

Sosa (wrist) entered Sunday's win over the Reds as a defensive replacement at shortstop and subsequently went 0-for-2.

Sosa's blanking at the plate pales in relevance to the fact the ailing shortstop managed to take swings in game action again after missing the previous four games with wrist pain. Assuming he has no residual effects from Sunday's activity, Sosa, who'd opened September hitting .364 (8-for-22) over his first seven games of the month, could be back in the starting lineup Monday against the Mets.

Sosa (wrist) remains on the bench as expected Sunday against the Reds, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa hasn't played since Wednesday while battling wrist pain, though he's yet to be placed on the injured list. Paul DeJong will remain the primary shortstop until Sosa is ready to return.

Sosa (wrist) is not in Saturday's lineup against the Reds and doesn't seem likely to return in the next couple days, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

He will make his first attempts at swinging a bat, but Jones notes that his availability is still very limited. Paul DeJong will continue to start at shortstop while Sosa is out.

Sosa is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds due to pain in his left wrist, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa suffered the injury while attempting a diving play Wednesday. He didn't play play Thursday and won't start Friday, but he's merely considered day-to-day, so it's possible he returns to the lineup before too long. Paul DeJong will remain the starter at shortstop.

Sosa will sit Thursday against the Dodgers, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa had been moving ahead of the struggling Paul DeJong on the depth chart, though it's now been DeJong at shortstop in two of the last three games. Sosa has hit .400/.435/.675 over his last 12 games, however, so it's hard to see why the Cardinals would move him back into a bench role.

Sosa is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Dodgers, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The shortstop will receive the day off after appearing in the last four games for the Cardinals. Paul DeJong gets the start and is batting seventh Tuesday.

Sosa went 1-for-3 with an RBI sacrifice fly, a walk and a stolen base in a loss to the Brewers on Sunday.

Sosa continues to validate manager Mike Shildt's decision to afford him the bulk of playing time at shortstop, with Sunday's production pushing his slash line over the last nine games to an outstanding .387/.432/.742 (37 plate appearances). Sosa has impressively provided a bit of everything in that sample, lacing a double, two triples, two home runs, 10 RBI, three walks and nine runs in addition Sunday's steal, his fourth of the campaign.

Sosa isn't starting the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Reds, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Sosa started at shortstop in the first game of the twin bill and went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a strikeout. Paul DeJong will take over at shortstop and bat seventh in the nightcap.

Sosa went 4-for-6 with two triples, five RBI and three runs Saturday in a 13-0 thrashing of the Pirates.

Sosa plated the first runs of the contest for the Cardinals with a two-run triple in the second inning, then one-upped himself by driving home three runners with a bases-clearing triple in the following frame. Per Jason Catania of MLB.com, the infielder became the first Cardinals player to rack up at least two triples and five RBI in a game since Ken Boyer in 1962. Sosa has been outstanding at the plate across 19 contests in August, registering three games of three or more hits and batting .388 (19-for-49) with two homers, three triples, 11 runs and 10 RBI.

Sosa went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in an 11-7 loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Drawing the start at shortstop Thursday batting seventh, Sosa hit home run No. 4 on the season, while also adding an infield single in the second inning. Sosa has now drawn a start in four of his past five games, two of which he has collected multiple hits.

Sosa will start at shortstop and bat seventh Thursday against the Pirates, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Sosa will crack the lineup for the fourth time in five games, with three of his starts coming at shortstop. At this stage, Sosa may have played himself into a timeshare in the middle infield with Paul DeJong, who is sitting for the third time in five games and is slashing a meager .229/.306/.375 since the All-Star break.

Sosa went 2-for-4 with an RBI double in a loss to the Pirates on Saturday.

Drawing a start at shortstop for Paul DeJong, Sosa once again made good use of his inclusion in the lineup. The 25-year-old now has multi-hit efforts in three of his last four starts, although Saturday's double was only his third extra-base hit over 36 August plate appearances overall.

Sosa is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Sosa went 5-for-14 with two runs while starting each of the past four games for the Cardinals, but he appears set to move back into a full-time bench role after everyday shortstop Paul DeJong (back) was cleared to return from a three-game absence.

Sosa will start at shortstop and bat eighth Sunday against the Royals.

After going 3-for-4 with a pair of runs in Saturday's 9-4 win while filling in at shortstop for the banged-up Paul DeJong (back), Sosa will pick up another start in the series finale. Sosa is making his third consecutive start overall -- he manned third base in Friday's 6-0 win -- but he'll likely fade into a reserve role in the infield beginning next week. DeJong is expected to be good to go for Tuesday's series opener versus the Brewers.

Sosa went 2-for-4 with a triple in a win over the Pirates on Tuesday.

Sosa is now 5-for-11 with Tuesday's triple and a home run over his last three starts. The 25-year-old's .254 average and .328 on-base percentage are serviceable, but the irregularity in his playing time helps cap his fantasy value overall.

Sosa went 3-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, two runs scored and a walk in Sunday's 7-3 win over Minnesota.

Sosa knocked two singles, including an RBI base hit in the sixth inning, and an eighth-inning solo shot in Sunday's victory. It was the third homer of the season for the 25-year-old infielder and his first since July 6, which was also the last time he registered a multi-hit game. Sosa owns a .681 OPS with eight extra-base hits through 184 plate appearances.

Sosa went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored Tuesday in a 6-5 win over San Francisco.

Sosa came into the contest without a hit in July, going 0-for-8 through four games. He turned things around with his second three-hit performance of the season. Sosa came through with a solo shot in the eighth inning for what proved to be the difference in the narrow win. The infielder is slashing .255/.335/.340 overall on the campaign.

Sosa (leg) went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs in a win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.

The valued utility player was given the weekend off after exiting Friday's game early with cramps, and the down time apparently did him some good. The multi-hit effort was Sosa's first since June 14, while the two-bagger marked the 25-year-old's first extra-base hit since he launched his first career home run against the Reds on June 4.

Sosa (leg) is starting Monday's game against Arizona, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa had missed the last few games due to cramps, but he's healthy enough to return to the lineup for Monday's series opener. He'll start at second base and bat eighth in his return.

Sosa exited Friday's game against the Pirates in the sixth inning with cramps, the Associated Press reports, and he was not in the lineup for either Saturday's or Sunday's contests against Pittsburgh.

There hasn't been a specific update regarding Sosa, but he'd logged seven starts in the 10 games prior to his early exit Friday. Therefore, his absence over the weekend could well be at least partly health-related, and it remains to be seen if Sosa will return to the lineup Monday in a home matchup against the Diamondbacks.

Sosa is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa has gone 4-for-22 while starting at second base in seven of the Cardinals' last eight games, but his opportunities are likely to dwindle moving forward after St. Louis called up outfield prospect Lars Nootbaar from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday. With the Cardinals expected to give Nootbaar a trial run as an everyday player in the corner outfield, Tommy Edman will likely move back to his natural spot at second base, which will leaves no room for Sosa.

Sosa will start at second base and bat seventh in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader with Atlanta.

With Tommy Edman spending most of his time in right field these days, Sosa appears to have at least temporarily emerged as the Cardinals' preferred option at the keystone ahead of Matt Carpenter. Sosa will stick in the lineup for the fifth time in six games, even though the lefty-hitting Carpenter holds the platoon advantage with right-hander Bryse Wilson on the hill for Atlanta.

Sosa (hand) went 1-for-3 and was caught stealing on his one attempt in a loss to the Braves on Friday.

The utility asset was back in the lineup after a one-game absence and managed one of only three hits for the Cardinals on the night. Sosa has now hit safely in three of the last four games and continues to be pleasant surprise at the plate, as evidenced by his .267 average and .358 on-base percentage across 120 plate appearances.

Sosa (hand) is starting at second base and batting seventh Friday against Atlanta, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa was diagnosed with a hand contusion after exiting Wednesday's game against the Marlins because he was hit by a pitch. He did not play in Thursday's loss to Atlanta but will return to the lineup Friday after missing just the one game.

Sosa underwent X-rays after leaving Wednesday's game against the Marlins that came back negative and revealed a right hand contusion, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Sosa was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning Wednesday and needed several minutes to regroup before heading to first base. Although he remained in the game initially, he was replaced at second base to begin the eighth inning. The 25-year-old is considered day-to-day following his diagnosis.

Sosa left Wednesday's game against the Marlins in the top of the eighth inning after he was hit by a pitch on his right hand, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa appeared to be in considerable pain after he took a pitch to his right hand in the bottom of the seventh inning, but he was initially able to stay in the game. However, he was replaced defensively to begin the eighth inning. The exact nature and severity of the 25-year-old's injury aren't yet clear.

Sosa started at second base in Monday's win over the Marlins, going 2-for-4 with an RBI single.

Sosa was in the starting nine for the first time since Paul DeJong's return from the injured list, and he commemorated the occasion by churning out his second multi-hit effort in his last three starts. The versatile 25-year-old doesn't offer much pop, but he does now have a solid .268 average and elite .360 on-base percentage across 111 plate appearances.

Sosa will not start Friday's game against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Sosa started 22 straight games at shortstop while Paul DeJong (ribs) was injured. He hit fairly well over that stretch, posting a .286/.360/.390 slash line with one homer and two steals, but with DeJong now back from the injured list there don't appear to be starts available for him going forward.

Sosa went 2-for-4 with an RBI single in a loss to the Indians on Tuesday.

Sosa's fourth-inning single that plated Tyler O'Neill represented the biggest offensive success for the Cardinals on a forgettable night. The 25-year-old has reached safely in six of the last seven games and owns a .271/.374/.365 slash line through 99 plate appearances, the type of numbers that could continue to help earn him semi-regular playing time even when Paul DeJong (ribs) returns to action.

Sosa went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to the Reds on Friday.

The fill-in shortstop took Luis Castillo deep to left field in the fifth inning, putting the Cardinals' first run on the board with his 419-foot shot. The round tripper served as the first of Sosa's career and extended his hitting streak to four games. The 25-year-old has done an admirable job holding down the fort while Paul DeJong (ribs) has been on the injured list, but with the latter set to begin a two-game rehab assignment Saturday, Sosa's allotment of regular playing time is likely nearing its end.

Sosa went 3-for-4 with two runs in a loss to the Cubs on Friday.

Sosa logged another start at shortstop and led the Cardinals in hits on the night. The utility man has now hit safely in three straight and appears to be making a strong case to continue logging the majority of starts at shortstop while Paul DeJong (ribs) remains sidelined.

Sosa went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and a run in a win over the Pirates on Tuesday.

Sosa's third-inning two-bagger brought home Nolan Arenado to close out the scoring on the day for the Cardinals and also served as his first extra-base hit of the season. The 25-year-old only has 23 plate appearances this season, but Paul DeJong's (ribs) current stint on the injured list should continue affording Sosa some semi-regular playing time for the moment.

Sosa drew his first start of the season in Wednesday's loss to the Nationals and went 1-for-2 while also getting hit by a pitch.

The 25-year-old utility man had appeared in just three other games this season as an in-game substitute, but with Paul DeJong getting a day off, Sosa started in his place at shortstop. Sosa is likely ticketed for only sporadic action as long as the Cardinals enjoy good health, but his ability to fill in at three infield spots would make him a solid candidate for playing time should injuries strike.

Sosa, who secured a utility spot on the Opening Day roster, went 2-for-2 with a solo home run in a Grapefruit League tie with the Mets on Monday.

Sosa put together a positive finish to a quiet spring with his only multi-hit effort of Grapefruit League play, a outing that included his only round tripper in exhibition play. The 25-year-old hit just .200 (5-for-25) this spring, but his ability to cover multiple positions and his solid track minor-league track record at the plate likely helped him latch onto a roster spot to open the campaign.

Sosa, who is 0-for-4 across his two official Grapefruit League game appearances thus far, starred in a "B" game against the Astros on Friday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Sosa, competing for a utility role on the Opening Day roster, smacked a three-run home run while also throwing out a runner trying to score from second base. The 25-year-old played both second base and third base during the game and has logged time at both positions, shortstop and designated hitter in the minors. Sosa never saw action in a 2020 regular-season game, but he recorded a combined 13 plate appearances with the big-league club during the 2018 and 2019 campaigns.

Sosa (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Thursday and optioned to the alternate site, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

He has yet to play in the majors this season and will continue to serve as organizational infield depth, most notably at shortstop. The Cardinals have many players still unavailable, but the infield is relatively healthy.

Sosa (illness) is set to start getting at-bats at the Cardinals' alternate training site in Springfield, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The utility infielder is one of a multitude of Cardinals players working his way through the COVID-19 reentry process. Sosa was cleared for baseball activities Monday, and if he's able to demonstrate his timing at the plate is solid in Springfield, he could be deemed ready for activation in fairly short order.

Sosa (illness) was cleared to resume baseball activities Monday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Sosa was sidelined since early August after testing positive for COVID-19, but he'll now report to the team's alternate training site in Springfield to get back into game shape. It's unclear how much time he'll need before he's ready to return to the active roster, but he should serve as infield depth once he's back in the majors.

Sosa landed on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday.

Sosa is one of a number of Cardinals who tested positive for the virus in recent days. He'll remain sidelined until he's symptom-free and tests negative twice. Whether or not that comes before or after the Cardinals are cleared to play their next game remains to be seen.

Sosa is one of the Cardinals who has tested positive for COVID-19.

The entire Cardinals team is in the middle of at least a week-long shutdown in an attempt to prevent a further spread of the virus. Sosa in theory could have been the next man up at shortstop when Paul DeJong tested positive, but he now won't be appearing in any capacity until he's symptom-free and tests negative twice.

Sosa was named to the Cardinals' Opening Day roster Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Brad Miller's ankle and heel injuries have worked to Sosa's benefit, as it vaulted the latter onto the expanded Opening Day roster. However, Sosa earned the job on his own merits as well, as he made a strong impression throughout spring training and summer camp with respect to his defensive versatility and contact rate at the plate. Sosa has experience filling in at second base, third base and shortstop, with his most extensive experience coming at the latter position.

Sosa has been included in the player pool that will report to Cardinals summer camp July 1, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The versatile utility asset's inclusion was to be expected, especially considering he proved capable as a hitter at the Triple-A level last season (.291/.335/.466 over 496 plate appearances) and is already on the 40-man roster. Assuming he makes the cut for Opening Day, Sosa could be utilized in a variety of positions in the truncated 2020 regular season.

Sosa would be highly likely to return to the big-league club if rosters were expanded to 30 players for the 2020 season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Goold provides his assessment on the versatile utility asset in a response to a reader question about what players the Cardinals might opt to carry were they afforded four extra spots to work with. Sosa makes the cut in Goold's eyes due to the 24-year-old's ability to fill in at shortstop and the fact he's already on the 40-man roster. Sosa has just 13 regular-season big-league plate appearances to his name, but he swatted a pair of doubles and home runs apiece during Grapefruit League play and generated a solid .291/.335/.466 line with 40 extra-base hits (18 doubles, five triples, 17 home runs) across 496 plate appearances at Triple-A Memphis in 2019.

Sosa was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Sosa had a shot to win a bench role this spring, especially after Yairo Munoz was released, but he'll wind up starting in the minors. With just 13 big-league plate appearances under his belt and a below-average batting line at the Triple-A level, Sosa is unlikely to make a significant impact this season.

Sosa, who hit his second home run of spring in a Grapefruit League win over the Astros on Saturday after entering the game as a pinch runner, has a better chance at an Opening Day roster spot now that Yairo Munoz (hamstring) has been placed on unconditional release waivers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Munoz abruptly left the Cardinals and headed back to his home in the Dominican Republic without informing team officials, leading to the move. Munoz's departure is certainly to Sosa's potential benefit, especially since he impressed in winter ball and has already made an impact this spring. Sosa is capable of backing up both shortstop and third base, and he thrived at the highest levels of the minors last season by slashing .291/.335/.466 with 40 extra-base hits (18 doubles, five triples, 17 home runs) and 62 RBI across 118 games with Triple-A Memphis.