As if losing Adam Wainwright for the season weren't bad enough, the Cardinals have been dealt just another blow, as Matt Holliday is undergoing an appendectomy.
The news comes completely out of nowhere, given that Holliday played in the Cardinals' game against the Padres on Thursday and hit a home run. Holliday felt some soreness on Thursday and got himself checked out only after it persisted into Friday morning. The doctors were able to identify the problem before Holliday's appendix burst, which is good news, but that this could've been worse in no way makes it pleasing.
The Cardinals aren't going to make a corresponding roster move until they hear about the operation, but Holliday will almost certainly find himself on the disabled list. The standard recovery can be between three and four weeks before one can return to "strenuous activity," and if you allow for a quick minor-league rehab stint, Holliday could be out for more than a month. He could be back much sooner, of course, but this is nasty, regardless. One must note that Andres Torres was able to return from an appendectomy last September in about two weeks.
Expect Jon Jay and Allen Craig to try and fill the void in the lineup until Holliday comes back. And expect Albert Pujols to draw some more intentional walks.
For more on Holliday and the Cardinals, please visit Viva El Birdos.