David Freese Injury: St. Louis Cardinals 3B's Wrist Checks Out; He'll Play Vs. Pirates

David Freese expects to be in the starting lineup on Monday night, as the St. Louis Cardinals open up a three-game series in Pittsburgh.

Freese was hit in the wrist by a fastball during Friday night's win over the Cincinnati Reds. Luckily for Freese and the Cardinals, there were no fractures found in Freese's wrist.

There were no fractures found in the bones that make up the joint, and Freese was cleared to hit as aggressively as he could tolerate Sunday. He expects to be in the lineup tonight for the start of a three-game series in Pittsburgh.

"No question," Freese said. "It's good to know there is nothing in there that could cause a problem later."

Freese is enjoying his most successful regular season campaign in 2012, hitting .299/.370/.477 with 17 home runs and 71 RBI in 114 games for the Cardinals. Freese has been an asset defensively as well, with a +3 DRS and 2.5 UZR.

Needless to say, having Freese back in the lineup on Monday night is a huge boost, as the Cardinals look to further separate themselves from the Pittsburgh Pirates -- and make up ground on the first-place Cincinnati Reds.

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