The Cardinals placed Carlson (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Since Carlson's IL stint is backdated to Tuesday, he'll be eligible for activation in advance of the Cardinals' ninth game of the regular season April 6 versus the Marlins, but he'll most likely need additional time beyond that date to recover from a left AC joint sprain. With Lars Nootbaar (rib) and Tommy Edman (wrist) joining Carlson on the IL to begin the season, prospect Victor Scott will be included on the Opening Day roster and is expected to fill a full-time role in center field.

Carlson has been diagnosed with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder and will begin the season on the 10-day injured list, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carlson suffered the injury on an outfield collision with teammate Jordan Walker during Monday's exhibition game against the Cubs. Goold says Carlson is expected to be sidelined for weeks, rather than months. It seems likely that Lars Nootbaar (ribs) and perhaps Tommy Edman (wrist) will beat him back, which means Carlson could be set for a reserve role when he returns. Victor Scott will take Carlson's spot on the roster and will be the Opening Day center fielder.

Carlson left Monday's exhibition game versus the Cubs due to a left shoulder injury, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carlson left Monday's contest after colliding with Jordan Walker in the outfield, in which the former landed hard on his left arm. Carlson left the field with trainers, and the severity of the injury has yet to be determined. If the injury is severe enough for Carlson to miss the beginning of the regular season, Mike Siani could see some starts in center field, as Tommy Edman (wrist) and Lars Nootbaar (ribs) are also out.

Carlson was removed from Monday's exhibition game versus the Cubs following a collision in the outfield with Jordan Walker, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carlson had his legs taken out from under him by Walker and appeared to land awkwardly on his left arm. He then walked off the field with a trainer and is surely headed for testing. Carlson had been slated to be the Cardinals' center fielder while Tommy Edman (wrist) is out, but Carlson's injury could throw a wrench into those plans. It's possible that prospect Victor Scott could re-enter the mix for starts in center field if Carlson isn't ready to go for Thursday's season opener versus the Dodgers.

Carlson is projected to be the Cardinals' Opening Day center fielder, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

EDGE Analysis

Carlson hit .271 with three home runs and 13 RBI over 17 contests in Grapefruit League play. That proved to be just enough to fend off a fierce challenge from Victor Scott, who will begin the season in the minors. Carlson's time as the primary center fielder could be temporary -- he'll be there while Tommy Edman (wrist) begins the season on the injured list after some setbacks in his recovery from surgery.

Carlson would be in line to start in center field for the Cardinals on Opening Day if Tommy Edman (wrist) isn't ready, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's looking increasingly likely that Edman will need a stint on the injured list, and the Cards prefer to keep Lars Nootbaar in left field rather than shifting him over to center. Carlson would be atop the center field depth chart in that scenario, at least initially. The 25-year-old is coming back from surgery himself, having had his ankle operated on in September. He's been full-go since the start of the Grapefruit League schedule, though. Carlson is expected to be the team's fourth outfielder once everyone is healthy.

Carlson (ankle) started in center field in Saturday's split-squad Grapefruit League game versus the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

It's an encouraging sign that Carlson is ready to go at full speed for the start of the spring slate. The 25-year-old outfielder doesn't have a projected starting role yet, but he should get plenty of time in center early in the spring with Tommy Edman (wrist) not yet cleared to play the field. A switch hitter, Carlson should be able to carve out a sizeable role this season even if he begins as a fourth outfielder.

Carlson (ankle) will run the bases Wednesday in addition to taking live batting practice and shagging flyballs, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol noted that running the bases is the final box Carlson needs to check before being fully cleared following last September's left ankle surgery. It's not clear when Carlson might play in his first Grapefruit League contest, but he would appear to be only slightly behind a normal spring training routine.

Carlson's running will be limited initially this spring following September left ankle surgery, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carlson was cleared back in December to do some running, but the Cardinals are seemingly planning on a slow ramp-up process for the outfielder in spring training. The 25-year-old shouldn't have trouble being ready to go for Opening Day in late March, though. He projects to begin the season as St. Louis' fourth outfielder.

The Cardinals and Carlson (ankle) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.35 million contract Thursday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carlson was arbitration-eligible for the first time. The 25-year-old had a second straight injury-shortened, disappointing season in 2023 which ended with ankle surgery. Carlson should be at or close to 100 percent for spring training and is slated to operate as a fourth outfielder in St. Louis.