To clear a spot on the active roster for Paul DeJong after he spent seven weeks on the disabled list with a fractured hand, the Cardinals optioned Gomber with the intent of starting him in the minors and positioning him to be the first available for when the Cardinals have the inevitable opening in the rotation. Due to injuries and a jam-packed 40-man roster, the Cardinals have been easing through the past few weeks without an obvious understudy at starter.
Bader had three hits, including a home run, in his start Thursday night, and at AT&T Park the Cardinals have wanted his defense covering the nooks, crannies and vast expanses of right field.