Former Cardinals outfielder Jay will watch series from Padres’ bench
This isn’t what Jon Jay had in mind for his return to St. Louis.
Jay’s broken right forearm remained in a hard cast Monday as the San Diego Padres opened a four-game series against the Cardinals with a 10-2 loss at Busch Stadium.
Jay suffered the injury June 19 when he was hit by an 89-mph fastball from Washington Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez in a game at Petco Park in San Diego.
“It’s not fun. It’s frustrating with this, but stuff happens,” said Jay, wearing a stocking cap despite the oppressive 95-degree heat. “I’m just looking to coming back on the field.”
Jay was traded to the Padres for infielder Jedd Gyorko and cash considerations Dec. 8. Jay assumed the everyday job in center field and is batting .296 with a team-leading 24 doubles to go with two homers and 23 RBIs.
I think about a lot of different moments. This is obviously where I got my first chance to be a big-leaguer, which was awesome. That stands out, and winning the World Series with a bunch of guys I came up with the minors with was great. Just everything here in the community. We were very involved and that was a lot of fun. I’ll remember all those things.
Jon Jay on the sweet memories of being with the St. Louis Cardinals
Jay, 31, spent the first six seasons of his career with the Cardinals, compiling a .287/.354/.384 slash line. He continues to call St. Louis his home.
“It’s definitely different coming into the visitor’s side (at Busch Stadium),” Jay said. “Obviously, I have a lot of fond memories of my time here. It’s great to be back.
“I think about a lot of different moments. This is obviously where I got my first chance to be a big-leaguer, which was awesome. That stands out, and winning the World Series with a bunch of guys I came up with the minors with was great. Just everything here in the community. We were very involved and that was a lot of fun. I’ll remember all those things.”
Jay was and still is a favorite of Cardinals manager Mike Matheny, who never misses an opportunity to heap praise on the left-handed hitter.
He’s not necessarily the kind of player you want to lose ... but it’s how this game goes. He was involved in this community and probably will continue to be since he married a St. Louis girl. He’s the kind of player I know a lot of our fans latched on to (because of) his style and how he went about his business.
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny on his beloved former player
Jon Jay“Jon Jay, to me, has always been just a winning-style player, a guy that came in here and I thought was a real good teammate, a guy that went about his business and got the most out of his ability while he was here,” Matheny said. “He’s made a nice transition over in San Diego.”
Of the trade, Matheny said: “He’s not necessarily the kind of player you want to lose ... but it’s how this game goes. He was involved in this community and probably will continue to be since he married a St. Louis girl. He’s the kind of player I know a lot of our fans latched on to (because of) his style and how he went about his business.”
Jay hopes to have the cast removed in “a couple of weeks.” The Padres, who are not in contention for a playoff spot, may trade Jay before the July 31 nonwaiver deadline.
If that happens, so be it. Jay understands the business side of the game.
“The Padres gave me an incredible opportunity this offseason,” he said. “They really believed in me and threw me out there every day. I’m glad I was able to get consistent at-bats and was able to do well. I’m looking forward to coming back to the team. Hopefully, a couple more weeks and I’ll be back out there.”
Jay said many of his former teammates with the Cardinals will be lifelong friends.
“It’s great,” said Jay. “These are guys that were more than just teammates. They’re guys I still talk to on a daily basis. They’re guys that will be friends for life.”
David Wilhelm: 618-239-2665, @DavidMWilhelm
Cardinals 10, Padres 2
Randal Grichuk, Jedd Gyorko and Stephen Piscotty whacked home runs and Mike Leake struck out 11 in six innings as St. Louis bounced the Padres in the opener of a four-game series at Busch Stadium. Leake improved to 7-7.
By the numbers
Grichuk’s two-run homer and Gyorko’s solo shot came on consecutive pitches from Jose Dominguez in the seventh. It was the sixth time this season the Cardinals have hit back-to-back homers. ... San Diego struck out 15 times. ... Gyorko was 3-for-3 against his former teammates. ... Piscotty also had three hits, with his 13th home run sailing into Big Mac Land in the second deck.
Up next
Carlos Martinez (8-6, 2.85 ERA) vs. Colin Rea (5-3, 4.95 ERA), 7:15 p.m. Tuesday.
This story was originally published July 18, 2016 at 7:01 PM with the headline "Former Cardinals outfielder Jay will watch series from Padres’ bench."