**Cardinals' Jordan Walker Placed on Injured List Amid Recent Hitting Surge**

The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that outfielder Jordan Walker will be sidelined after being placed on the team's 10-day injured list due to left wrist inflammation. The injury, retroactive to May 29, comes just as Walker was showing signs of improvement at the plate following a prolonged slump.

As Walker heads to the IL, the Cardinals have made additional roster adjustments. Right-hander Gordon Graceffo has been optioned to Triple-A, making room for right-hander Roddery Munoz and utilityman Ryan Vilade, both of whom will be coming up from Triple-A Memphis. Vilade, who has shown versatility by playing multiple positions, has had his minor league contract selected to the active roster.

Walker’s injury is particularly untimely given his recent performance. Despite a rough start to the season with just a .502 OPS over his first 138 plate appearances, Walker had rebounded with an impressive .333/.353/.545 slash line over his last 34 trips to the plate. This improvement comes as Walker, in his third MLB season, has been the Cardinals’ primary right fielder for much of 2025.

With the team emphasizing playing time for younger talent, Walker’s consistency has been critical, even as he worked through early struggles. Now, his absence could mean more outfield opportunities for Alec Burleson or Brendan Donovan, with the latter potentially shifting from second base and opening up additional infield time for Nolan Gorman.

Ryan Vilade’s promotion underscores his potential value to the team’s depth chart. The 26-year-old has been a steady performer in Triple-A, evident from his .280/.375/.476 slash line over 192 plate appearances this season. Vilade has experience across the outfield and infield, making him a valuable utility player. Though his major league resume includes just 20 games and a modest .416 OPS, his minor league statistics reflect a more consistent and productive offensive contribution.

Vilade will now have the opportunity to make a more significant impact at the major league level. Having played 48 games across various positions for Memphis, his versatility and recent hitting form could provide the Cardinals with the spark they need as they navigate the challenges of the ongoing season without Walker.