Dean, who's competing for a reserve outfield spot, went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and two runs in a Grapefruit League loss to the Nationals on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old showed some promise at the plate during an extended minor-league career, particularly during a 2019 stint at Triple-A New Orleans while with the Marlins organization when he slashed .337/.401/.635 with 18 home runs and 57 RBI (282 plate appearances). He's received limited opportunity at the big-league level in both Miami and St. Louis but has flashed some decent pop (19 doubles, 10 home runs), and considering his body of work at the highest level of the minors, he's under legitimate consideration for a reserve outfield spot this spring.

The Cardinals activated Dean (elbow) from the 10-day injured list Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Dean was surprisingly able to make it back from the IL before the regular season came to an end, but he's not expected to fill anything more than a depth role in Sunday's finale with the Brewers or in any postseason contests that may follow. The 26-year-old has been on the shelf for much of the abbreviated campaign, missing time with a right elbow strain and due to a bout with COVID-19.

Dean (elbow) is recovering well and working out at Busch Stadium, but he's unlikely to return before the end of the regular season, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

President of baseball operations John Mozeliak noted Monday that Dean faces an uphill battle to see game action in the waning days of the campaign, due to both the sparse amount of time remaining and there not being room on the roster for him. Dexter Fowler's return from the injured list Monday fills one outfield vacancy, while Dylan Carlson, who was summoned back to the big leagues Sept. 18, appears set to remain with the Cardinals through the end of the campaign.

Dean was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right elbow Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Dean suffered the injury, which was originally termed "discomfort," Sunday against the Reds. It's quite possible that was his last game of the regular season, as there will only be four days left if he's able to return after the minimum 10 days. Even a slight delay would likely be the end of his campaign. He's only appeared in three contests for the Cardinals this season, so his absence won't change the shape of the team by much.

Dean was removed from Sunday's game against the Reds with right elbow discomfort, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dean went 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts and looked off in his final at-bat before exiting the contest. The 26-year-old should be considered day-to-day until more is known on the injury.

Dean went 1-for-1 with a double, three walks and a run in a win over the Reds on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Dean was making his first start of the season following his activation from the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, a day he made an appearance in the first game of a doubleheader against the Tigers as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement. In his Saturday start, Dean played some "small ball" while seeing four teammates leave the yard, and although his four times on base only equated to one run, he was certainly productive from a fantasy perspective. Dean's ability to play both corner outfield spots coupled with the recent news Dexter Fowler (illness) may not return before the end of the regular season could afford the former some starting opportunities down the stretch.

Dean was officially activated from the injured list Thursday and is on the Cardinals' active roster.

EDGE Analysis

He had been off the COVID-19 injured list for a few days already, but was still technically at the alternate training site. With a doubleheader against the Tigers on tap, Dean could see action right away.

Dean, who's been on the COVID-19 injured list and working out at the Cardinals' alternate training site in Springfield, is now available to be recalled if needed, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old hadn't appeared in a game before going on the IL, but he'll now have a chance to see his first big-league action of 2020 over the final two-plus weeks of the regular season. Dean was able to make the Opening Day roster after an impressive summer camp, and he compiled 10 home runs and 35 RBI over 98 total games in stints with the Marlins over the prior two seasons. With Dexter Fowler (illness) already sidelined, it's possible Dean gets a call if one more outfielder goes down in the coming days.

Dean (illness) cleared MLB's COVID-19 protocols and will report to the alternate training site for workouts, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old has been sidelined since early August after testing positive for the virus, but he's now cleared the leagues protocols. Dean did not appear in a game prior to the Cardinals' COVID-19 outbreak and is likely to fill a reserve role once he reaches game readiness.

Dean (illness) is expected to enter the second phase of the re-entry process for gaining clearance to resume baseball activities during the early portion of the team's upcoming 11-day, 12-game homestand, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

The outfielder has reportedly been asymptomatic while dealing with his COVID-19 infection. Dean will need to produce two negative coronavirus tests spaced at least 24 hours apart in order to begin the second phase of the re-entry process, which will include a cardiac evaluation and a blood test for antibodies. The 26-year-old had yet to log a regular-season appearance for the Cardinals this season before the team's COVID outbreak paused games for over two weeks.