Cardinals shuffle coaching staff after disappointing start

The Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 on Thursday to complete a four-game sweep.

Wong was placed on the disabled list with a left elbow strain May 28.

The Cardinals also reorganized manager Mike Matheny's coaching staff. Third-base coach Chris Maloney, who has been under fire for waving a number of baserunners around third who were thrown out at the plate in recent weeks, will be reassigned within the organization.

St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak announced a series of coaching changes and player reassignments Friday. Mike Schildt will take over for Maloney. Mike Shildt has been named the new third base coach. He will be replaced on the roster by Kolten Wong, who was activated from the disabled list. Mark Budaska, the current hitting coach for the Memphis Redbirds will fill Mueller's spot for the time being.

Jhonny Peralta, the Cardinals third baseman, has been designated for assignment (DFA).

Ron "Pop" Warner is also being called in to help with the coaching staff. This season the second baseman is hitting.278 (37-133) and ranks 3rd on the team with 11 doubles.

Peralta got off to a slow start to the season after a strong spring and was placed on the DL with an upper respiratory illness April 20. The team is six games under.500 and just one game out of last place, their lowest point through 58 games since 2017. Shildt was previously the quality control coach.

Wong should return to his regular second base role with Jedd Gyorko the primary third baseman. St. Louis will have seven days to try to find a trade partner for Peralta (in which they would likely take on a good portion of his remaining salary), but will likely just release him to give him the opportunity to latch on with a new club.

With this move, the Cardinals' 40-man roster is down to 38 players.