KANSAS CITY -- Dylan Carlson was scampering all over the Kauffman Stadium playing surface before Friday’s series opener against the Royals for what would be his first taste of the I-70 Series in enemy territory with fans in the stands. The only issue is that the Cardinals’ Rookie of the Year hopeful may not get the chance to participate.

That was the diagnosis manager Mike Shildt shared on Friday, revealing that Carlson, battling a minor right wrist sprain in the hamate region, is unlikely to start over the course of the weekend unless his condition improves mightily. Carlson could pinch-run, Shildt said, but defensive availability is still to be determined. Batting remains a non-starter until the issue steadies.

Carlson did not take batting practice on Friday but was shagging balls in the outfield, albeit without much effort in his throws back in toward the infield.

“[It’s] going to require some time, and how much, we're still determining,” Shildt said. “Determined young guy, heals quick, who knows how lingering it will be? But obviously, you use your wrist to hit a lot, so he’ll be very limited at least today and into tomorrow probably, and we'll evaluate as we go.”

X-rays did not reveal any fractures, Shildt added, which has the club confident that Carlson could return in full force for Tuesday’s series opener against the Brewers at Busch Stadium, given the off-day on Monday. Carlson is especially hampered in swinging a bat, but throwing remains a wait-and-see.

José Rondón made his fifth start this season in the outfield in lieu of Carlson against left-handed starter Mike Minor. He’s likely facing a platoon with Lars Nootbaar until Carlson returns.

Carlson felt some discomfort in his wrist in the lead-up to Thursday’s series finale in Pittsburgh but felt healthy enough to start. He was removed after four innings against the Pirates with the discomfort. The ailment originally stems from a check swing, which has lingered into affecting his swings to date.

Any especially prolonged time missed would be the first this season for Carlson, after a bout with back tightness forced him out of the starting lineup in a May 21 contest before he missed just one more game and then returned.

And it comes at an unideal time; the Cardinals are 5-1 in their last six games entering Friday in a month that Carlson has slashed .359/.409/.513 with four extra-base hits.

A big second half -- like Carlson was privy to in his first season in 2020 -- is essential should he have any hopes at the National League Rookie of the Year pedestal. Among NL rookies, he trails only Jonathan India of the Reds, Trevor Rogers of the Marlins and Ian Anderson of the Braves in fWAR rankings. No Cardinal has won Rookie of the Year since Albert Pujols in 2001.

Carlson, though, has done so playing all three outfield positions. Tyler O’Neill has been on the injured list twice, as has Harrison Bader. But Carlson, leadoff hitter, has been the club’s most dependable option in their sted -- at 22 years old.

Bird droppings
• Without much fanfare or an announcement, the Cardinals made room on the 40-man roster for Jack Flaherty’s return on Friday by placing right-hander Johan Quezada to the 60-day injured list. Quezada, acquired from the Phillies during the offseason, had been rehabbing with Double-A Springfield from a lat injury he sustained in early May. The 6-foot-9 right-hander had been slated for the season at Triple-A Memphis if not knocking on the Major League door had he not sustained his injury.

• Shildt has appreciated games in American League parks for how it allows him to get some of his regular starters what he calls a “half-day” with the designated hitter in play. On Friday, that was Nolan Arenado. Shildt hinted that Matt Carpenter could make a start at first this weekend, which could spell a half-day for Paul Goldschmidt.