WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The St. Louis Cardinals’ outfielder, Jordan Walker, left the field during the third inning of the team’s split-squad game against the Washington Nationals, suffering from left knee pain on Tuesday. The team announced that Walker will undergo further medical evaluations to determine the extent of the injury.
Walker, who was drafted as a first-round pick, is seen as one of the most promising young talents within the Cardinals organization. In his debut season, Walker showcased his potential by hitting .276 with 16 home runs and 51 RBIs across 117 games. However, the following season, he faced challenges, seeing a significant drop in his performance with a .202 batting average, five homers, and 20 RBIs across 51 games in the majors.
To regain his form, Walker spent part of last season with Triple-A Memphis, where he played 85 games and achieved a .263 batting average, along with nine home runs and 37 RBIs. The Cardinals, eager to return to postseason play after missing out the past two years, are relying on Walker to bounce back strongly. The team did not make significant roster changes during the offseason and hope internal improvements will drive success.
Walker is currently in competition for an outfield spot alongside Lars Nootbaar and Michael Siani, aiming to join Michael Helman, who was a recent acquisition from the Twins. It remains crucial for Walker and others to elevate their performance levels if the Cardinals are to improve their standing in the league this season.
