The St. Louis Cardinals reinstated outfielder Tyler O’Neill from the 60-day injured list on Thursday.
O’Neill was in the team’s starting lineup for Thursday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs, batting seventh and playing left field.
The sixth-year major leaguer has been sidelined since May with lingering back problems.
In a corresponding move, the Cardinals designated right-hander Ryan Tepera for assignment. O’Neill’s return also is expected to bump outfielder Dylan Carlson into a reserve role.
O’Neill, 28, was batting .228 with two home runs and 12 runs in just 29 games before he was sidelined. He’s a career .250 hitter with 71 HRs in his six seasons with the Cardinals.
Tepera, 35, gave up two runs in his only two appearances with the Cardinals and was 2-2 with a 7.59 ERA in 12 relief appearances for the Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels this season. He’s 19-20 with a 3.62 ERA in nine seasons with five clubs, including the Toronto Blue Jays (2015-19).
–Field Level Media