Matt Holliday Injury: Updates on Cardinals Star's Thumb and Return

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday exited the team's Aug. 12 game against the Chicago Cubs with a fractured thumb after being hit on his right hand by a pitch. He was placed on the disabled list Aug. 13 and underwent surgery.

It's unclear when he'll return to the field.

Continue for updates.

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Holliday Comments on Future

Saturday, Oct. 1

Holliday told reporters he plans on playing next season even if he doesn't return to the Cardinals.

"I have a lot of good baseball left in me," Holiday said, per Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.

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Latest on Holliday's Timeline for Recovery

Wednesday, Sept. 7

Holliday has been cleared to resume baseball activities and might return in the next two to three weeks, according to Langosch.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Aug. 16 it's possible Holliday could play again this season, per Jim Hayes of Fox Sports Midwest.

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Holliday Comments on Injury

Friday, Aug. 12

Holliday discussed the nature of his injury after Thursday's game:

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Veteran Holliday Still Among League's Best Sluggers

Even at 36 years old, Holliday continues to show plenty of power at the plate. Through 106 games, he has 19 home runs, 60 RBI and a .451 slugging percentage. However, Holliday is getting on base at the lowest rate of his career. His .315 on-base percentage is 67 points below his career average.

Holliday was on the receiving end of one of the scariest moments this year. On July 21, he took a 95 mph fastball to the face from pitcher Andrew Cashner:

Despite that hit-by-pitch, the Cardinals put him in the starting lineup the next day.

St. Louis will hope Holliday's thumb injury proves to be minor, because the timing was not ideal. The Cardinals need his bat in the lineup as they prepare for the stretch run.

The Cardinals needed to be able to count on their outfield to deliver at the plate, and Holliday's absence makes a run to the postseason even more difficult.

Manager Mike Matheny will use Tommy Pham and Jeremy Hazelbaker in left field while Holliday recovers.