Carlson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

When he was activated from the 10-day injured list last Sunday, Carlson looked as though he would get a chance to start in center field on an everyday basis. However, just one week later, the Cardinals have seemingly pulled the plug on Carlson as their primary option in center, with either Mike Siani or Lars Nootbaar having drawn the last five starts at the position. Both of Carlson's two starts in the last five games came in right field, and it appears that he could be relegated to a short-side platoon role.

Carlson is not in Saturday's lineup against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Matt Carpenter (oblique) was activated from the injured list and is starting at designated hitter Saturday while Alec Burleson starts in right field. Carlson may get most of his starts against lefties going forward if the Cardinals intend to typically deploy Carpenter and Burleson against righties.

Carlson (shoulder) was activated from the 10-day injured list and is starting in center field and batting fifth Sunday against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old missed the first five weeks of the season due to a sprained left shoulder, but he's back with the Cardinals after going 3-for-11 with three walks and a solo homer during a four-game rehab stint with Triple-A Memphis. Carlson should step in as St. Louis' primary center fielder, at least until Tommy Edman (wrist) makes his own return from the injured list.

Carlson (shoulder) will be activated from the 10-day injured list prior to Sunday's game against the White Sox, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carlson completed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis and got through a workout at Busch Stadium on Saturday to clear the way for his season debut. The 25-year-old missed the first month-plus of the season with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder. With Tommy Edman (wrist) still out, Carlson should see the bulk of the starts in center field for St. Louis. However, it's possible the club could ease him into a full-time role.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Carlson (shoulder) will take part in various drills before Saturday's game against the White Sox, though the skipper noted Carlson won't be activated from the 10-day injured list yet, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carlson was set to play for Triple-A Memphis over the weekend against Charlotte, but with the weekend games threatened by rain, the 25-year-old is with the big club instead. He played four games with Memphis in his rehab assignment, going 3-for-11 with a solo home run and three walks. He'll take flyballs, run the bases and mimic right-handed at-bats in a cage Saturday, but any activation from the IL won't come until Sunday at the earliest.

Carlson (shoulder) will play nine innings in the field for Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carlson has started as the designated hitter in two of his last three games with Memphis, though he did start in center field Wednesday. He'll reprise that role Friday against Triple-A Charlotte and will attempt to stay in the outfield for the entire game. In his last outing with Memphis on Thursday, Carlson went 2-for-3 with a solo home run.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Carlson (shoulder) will report to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday or Wednesday to begin a rehab assignment, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carlson is finally ready to test himself in an uncontrolled game setting after he completed an extensive ramp-up program as he works his way back from an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, which he suffered late in spring training. Given that he's been on the 10-day injured list throughout the first month of the season, Carlson will presumably stick with Memphis throughout the coming week before potentially making his 2024 big-league debut the following week. Whenever he's activated, Carlson will likely unseat Mike Siani as the Cardinals' everyday center fielder, a role that Carlson should hold at least until Tommy Edman (wrist) is ready to come off the IL.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Carlson (shoulder) took batting practice from both sides of the plate Monday and could start a minor-league rehab assignment within days, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals are expected to re-evaluate Carlson on Tuesday to see how he responded to his latest live BP session, but if his left shoulder isn't causing any issues, the 25-year-old could be cleared for game action. Carlson appears further along in his recovery from the shoulder injury than Tommy Edman does in his recovery from wrist surgery, so Carlson could end up settling in as St. Louis' primary center fielder if he beats Edman back from the 10-day injured list.

Carlson (shoulder) has taken swings from both sides of the plate during batting practice and has also resumed throwing, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carlson is still reportedly feeling pain during his right-handed swing, but he seems to be making solid progress overall in his recovery. The Cardinals still have not set a timeline for the 25-year-old's return, but he will almost certainly have to embark on a rehab assignment before he makes his season debut.

Carlson (shoulder) was expected to hit off a tee Monday and will progress to soft toss this week, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The outfielder is in the very early stages of his ramp-up after being shut down for over two weeks following a March 29 cortisone injection in his left shoulder. He will need to advance to batting practice and ultimately face high velocity before the team can start plotting out the when and where of a minor-league rehab assignment.