Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, who has been out since July 30 with a right shoulder strain, was reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Monday. To make room on the roster, infielder José Fermín was optioned to Triple-A Memphis.
In his first game back, Arenado will man the hot corner and bat sixth against the Reds. The Cards remain four games back of the Mets for the National League’s No. 3 Wild Card spot, but the Giants, Reds and D-backs stand between the Cards and the Mets.
Arenado had a four-game rehab stint with Double-A Springfield -- two of them as a DH and two of them as the starting third baseman -- and went 1-for-13 with three strikeouts.
In 96 games this season, the 34-year-old has slashed .235/.294/.366 with 10 homers, 15 doubles and 43 RBIs.