Williams signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Once the lockout ends along with the moratorium on signing players to MLB deals, the Phillies are expected to make addressing their outfield as a priority, as Bryce Harper stands as the only established option on the 40-man roster. Based on how the position group currently looks, however, Williams might be a viable candidate to make the Phillies' Opening Day roster as a depth outfielder. The 26-year-old saw action in 55 games over the 2018, 2020 and 2021 seasons, though he slashed a lowly .160/.271/.256 while striking out in one-third of his 144 plate appearances.

Williams was outrighted to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Williams spent the final two months of the season on the injured list with a shoulder issue at Triple-A, though until now he remained on the Cardinals 40-man roster. The 26-year-old appeared in 51 games for St. Louis during the first half and hit .160/.270/.261 in 137 plate appearances.

Triple-A Memphis placed Williams on its 7-day injured list Monday due to a hamstring strain, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams hasn't appeared in game for Memphis since July 2, so he's presumably been nursing the injury for the past month before the affiliate decided to deactivate him. Memphis called up corner-outfield prospect Alec Burleson from Double-A Springfield to fill Williams' spot on the roster. Over 16 games with Memphis this season, Williams is slashing .250/.276/.446 with three home runs and one stolen base.

Williams (neck) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Williams will wind up missing just shy of two weeks due to neck stiffness, but there's no roster spot available for him now that he's healthy. He didn't exactly do much to earn a roster spot prior to the injury, hitting just .160/.270/.261 in 51 games.

Williams (neck) went 1-for-2 with an RBI single in Triple-A Memphis' win over Gwinnett on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The recovering outfielder started and played the first four innings in right field before being subbed out. Williams is slated to put in at least one more rehab game with Memphis on Sunday before possibly being activated from the injured list when first eligible Monday.

Williams (neck) resumed baseball activities Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams has been on the injured list with neck stiffness since Saturday, but he was working in the outfield ahead of Wednesday's matchup against Cleveland. The 25-year-old will likely need to ramp up his activities before he's able to return to game action, but his participation in pregame activities is a step in the right direction.

Williams was placed on the 10-day injured list due to neck stiffness Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams was on the bench in each of the last two games, and he's apparently dealing with an injury that will force him to miss additional time. It's not yet clear whether he'll need to spend more than the minimum of 10 days on the shelf, but John Nogowski was recalled by the Cardinals as part of a corresponding move.

Williams went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in a loss to the Dodgers on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old closed out May the same way he began it, leaving the yard for his fifth homer of the season overall. The round tripper was Williams' first since May 1, and the drought his multi-hit effort snapped was even longer -- he hadn't notched more than one hit in a game since April 19, a span of 32 contests.

Williams is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the White Sox, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams will sit Tuesday despite the Cardinals being without both Tyler O'Neill (finger) and Harrison Bader (ribs). Lane Thomas will get the start in left field for the St. Louis, with Tommy Edman moving from second base to right field.

Williams will start in left field and bat seventh Wednesday against the Pirates, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams will cover left field for the second straight day, and he could at least be a strong-side platoon option at the position until Tyler O'Neill (finger) returns from the 10-day injured list. Through his 97 plate appearances on the season, the 25-year-old Williams is slashing .169/.289/.277 with three home runs and a 13.5 percent walk rate.