The St. Louis Cardinals are making some notable roster moves as they navigate through injuries and try to optimize playing time for their players. Infielder Jose Fermin has been called up from Class AAA Memphis to fill a spot on the active roster, replacing the injured Andrew Nootbaar. Fermin, who has been performing well in Triple-A with a .346 batting average and a 1.076 OPS, is set to start in Saturday's game against Philadelphia.

Another player being closely watched by the Cardinals is Jordan Walker, who has recently been promoted to Triple-A Memphis. While Walker has shown promise with a .277 batting average and improved stats, including an elevated OPS and on-base percentage, he has yet to hit a home run this season. As a result, the Cardinals have opted not to immediately promote him to replace Nootbaar, instead focusing on his development and ensuring he gets sufficient playing time when the club deems him ready.

To address the absence of Nootbaar, the Cardinals are relying on players like Brandon Burleson and Dylan Carlson to step up. Burleson, who has impressed with his bat, has been given more opportunities in the field, particularly at second base, to improve his overall performance. The Cardinals believe that Burleson's improvement in the field will lead to more at-bats for him in the future.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals are carefully managing the playing time of rookie Masyn Winn to avoid fatigue and potential back soreness. Winn, who has been a standout player with an 18-game hitting streak, is being monitored to ensure he doesn't overexert himself. His impressive performance has resulted in limited playing time for veteran Brandon Crawford, who was initially planned to start against specific matchups.

In terms of pitching, Andre Pallante put on a solid performance with six scoreless innings in his start against the Cincinnati Reds. As a result, Pallante will be given another opportunity to start in the upcoming game against the Houston Astros. Pallante has added a sinking fastball to his repertoire, making him more effective against right-handed batters, and his performance in his recent outing displayed his potential.

In terms of injuries, reliever Keynan Middleton is undergoing further assessments on his right forearm and elbow after experiencing renewed soreness. Middleton's next steps will be determined based on the results of the scans and consultations with medical professionals. On the injured list, Giovanny Gallegos has begun his rehab assignment with Class AAA Memphis for a right shoulder impingement, while Steven Matz is making progress in his recovery from a lower back injury with a second bullpen session. Additionally, Riley O'Brien is expected to throw a bullpen session over the weekend as he recovers from a flexor tendon strain.

The Cardinals remain focused on managing injuries, developing young talent, and maximizing playing time as they aim to navigate the challenges of the current season.