Schafer was released by the Cardinals, Baseball America reports.

EDGE Analysis

St. Louis gave Yefri Perez a minor-league deal, and cut Schafer to make room for him in the organization. His career may be winding down, as he experimented with a move to the mound a couple years ago but then suffered an elbow injury. Schafer is reportedly healthy physically, but the Cardinals obviously didn't like his chances of ever being a major contributor out of the big-league bullpen.

Schafer was released by the Twins on Thursday. Schafer batted .217 with 23 strikeouts in 69 at-bats with the Twins this season prior to landing on the 15-day disabled list in mid-May due to an MCL sprain. The speedy outfielder has had marginal success against right-handed pitchers in the past (.242/.323/.238) but Minnesota still decided to continue its youth movement. Schafer will likely have to settle for a minor league deal if he is to sign anywhere this season.

Schafer (knee) caught some fly balls this weekend, but is still a ways away from returning, the Star Tribune's LaVelle Neal reports. It seems like his MCL strain is improving very slowly, and catching fly balls is a far cry from more advanced baseball activities. Consider him out indefinitely. Aaron Hicks should continue to get most of the starts in center field in the short term.

Schafer indicated Monday that his right MCL strain hasn't improved much, and he's still resting without a timetable to resume baseball activities, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. Schafer's recovery seems to be at a standstill, with no indication of when he'll start his rehab process. At this point, an early June return seems unlikely, but his timetable should become clearer once he begins taking part in baseball activities.

Schafer had a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews that confirms he doesn't need surgery on the injured MCL in his knee, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. While this is a positive development, it's probably not a good sign that he sought a second opinion. There's no official timetable for his return, but this makes it sound like it will be several weeks before he's ready.

Schafer was placed on the 15-day DL Saturday with a right knee injury, Fox Sports North's Tyler Mason reports. He apparently tweaked the knee last month in Seattle and has been trying to battle through, but will now get a chance to rest for a stretch. Surgery is not needed at this point but he should be considered out indefinitely. Shane Robinson was activated from the family emergency list as a corresponding move.

Schafer is not in the lineup Friday against the Rays, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. Schafer will sit for a fourth straight game and for the second straight game against an opposing right-handed starter. It would seem Aaron Hicks has supplanted Schafter, who has a .511 OPS in 74 plate appearances, as the primary option in center field.

Schafer is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Tigers, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Schafer will receive another day off Wednesday with the left-handed Kyle Lobstein on the mound for the Tigers. The day off marks his fourth in the past seven games, and it's a trend that may continue given his .217/.250/.261 batting line this season.

Schafer is out of the lineup Thursday, the Star Tribune's LaVelle Neal reports. Schafer is batting a very empty .237 and he's getting on base at just a .274 clip, so he's not doing himself any favors at the plate. A popular late-round flier for steals this year, his inconsistent playing time and lack of success on the base paths makes cutting ties an easy proposition in shallower leagues.

Schafer is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Athletics, Brandon Warne of 105 The Ticket reports. Schafer has been swinging well as he's collected five hits in his last three games, but he'll get the day off after starting each of the previous four days. Shane Robinson will get the start in center field in his stead.