Cardinals activate DeJong, option Elledge

ST. LOUIS — The Cardinals will get their All-Star shortstop back for Sunday’s series finale with the Cincinnati Reds.

The team activated Paul DeJong, who has not played since July 29 while battling COVID-19, from the injured list prior to Sunday’s game. Reliever Seth Elledge was optioned to the Cardinals’ alternate site in Springfield, MO.

DeJong, who made his first All-Star team in 2019, was hitting .235/.316/.471 with a homer in five games before contracting the coronavirus during the team’s initial outbreak. He had been getting back up to speed at the team’s Springfield facility prior to his activation.

Elledge, 24, made his major league debut on August 16 and appeared in three games during his first stint with the Cardinals. The right-hander had a 4.50 ERA with eight strikeouts and five walks over four innings.