CLEVELAND — The Cardinals are already missing outfielder Jon Jay, who has sat out the last two games with a sore thumb. Now, however, they may be missing an even bigger bat from their lineup: left fielder Matt Holliday.
The Cardinals’ No. 3 hitter was hit in the left elbow by a pitch from Cleveland’s Corey Kluber in the first inning of the Cardinals’ 2-0 loss to the Indians Wednesday night. The ball appeared to hit Holliday directly on the point of the elbow.
The blow drove Holliday to his knees. He appeared to be in great discomfort, and the game was delayed for a few minutes to allow him to recover before taking first base. Holliday stayed in the game initially, but after the first inning, he was replaced by Pete Kozma.
X-rays on Holliday’s elbow were negative. He is considered day-to-day but it seems likely that he would probably be held out of Thursday afternoon’s game.
Losing Holliday would be a blow to the Cardinals’ lineup. He has reached base safely in all 32 games he has played this season. That’s the longest streak in the majors. It’s also the third-longest season-opening streak in St. Louis history. Albert Pujols reached base in each of his first 42 games in 2008 and his first 33 games in 2005.