In a unfortunate turn of events, the St. Louis Cardinals are facing injury concerns in their outfield as they gear up for their season opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The latest setback comes in the form of a collision involving outfielder Dylan Carlson during a game against the Chicago Cubs.

Carlson, who had been swinging the bat impressively throughout spring training, had just initiated a rally to tie the game when he collided with teammate Justin Walker in the outfield. Although Walker managed to stay in the game with a sore shoulder, Carlson was forced to leave with an undisclosed injury.

With Tommy Edman and Lars Nootbaar already on the injured list, the Cardinals are left with a potentially depleted outfield for the upcoming game. If Carlson is unable to play, Michael Siani, the only center fielder on the Cardinals' 40-man roster, will need to step up. Siani, who made the opening day roster, has shown promise with his fielding abilities and could be relied upon to fill in the gap.

Another option for the Cardinals is their top center field prospect, Victor Scott II. While he was recently reassigned to the minor league camp, Scott's exceptional defense and speed on the bases make him a potential call-up in case of emergencies.

The collision with Walker marks the second injury to a Cardinals outfielder this spring, with Nootbaar suffering a fractured rib earlier in the month. Additionally, Edman has been ruled out for the season opener due to setbacks following wrist surgery, further complicating the team's outfield situation.

Before Carlson's injury, the Cardinals had one remaining decision to make regarding their active roster, specifically the final spot in the bullpen. Ryan Fernandez, the Cardinals' Rule 5 draft pick, showcased his skills by pitching 1⅔ scoreless innings in Monday's game, further solidifying his claim for a bullpen spot.

As the Cardinals navigate through their injury concerns and make their final roster decisions, they face a race against time to prepare for their season opener against the Dodgers on Thursday. With key players missing due to injury, the team will need to rely on the depth of their roster and the abilities of their young prospects to overcome these obstacles.

As for Carlson, his availability for the season opener remains uncertain as the team awaits further updates on his condition. The Cardinals hope to have a clearer picture after evaluating him in the coming days.

Despite the setbacks, the Cardinals are determined to start the season on a strong note and overcome the challenges that lie ahead. The team's depth and resilience will be put to the test as they look to make an impact in a highly competitive National League Central division.