DeJong’s newest team, the Kansas City Royals, acquired him at the trade deadline last summer from division rival Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor league pitcher Jarold Rosado. DeJong signed a one-year contract with the White Sox last offseason after stints with the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants last summer.

The White Sox are coming off one of their worst seasons in recent baseball history and were clearly sellers at the trade deadline. The Cardinals used that to acquire infielder Tommy Pham and pitcher Erick Fedde.

“I didn’t know what to expect going in that day, especially not expecting to change team buildings,” DeJong said of the trade deadline. “It’s one of those memories, just being able to pack up my stuff and walk across the field. It’s something I’ll never forget. I’m so grateful and happy to be on this team. I think it’s a perfect fit for me. I’ve had a great time so far.”

In one of those funny twists of baseball fate, the White Sox were hosting the Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago when the deal became official. DeJong was already at the stadium, doing a pregame workout, when he got the news.

“I was eating in the cafeteria and (White Sox general manager) Chris Getz came in and told me, ‘Hey, you’re getting traded to the Royals,’” DeJong said. “I just said goodbye, packed up my stuff and walked across the field. It was definitely a surprise, but I already feel at home.”

DeJong also significantly improved his standing in the AL Central Division standings when he changed teams. The White Sox were 27-83 when the trade occurred on July 30. The Royals were 59-49 and in position to earn a wild-card spot in the postseason.

DeJong, who played shortstop for most of his time with the Cardinals, has started games at shortstop (83) and third base (10) for the White Sox. Since joining the Royals, who have a young superstar shortstop in Bobby Witt Jr., DeJong has started four games at third base and once as a designated hitter.

DeJong started at third base Saturday night against the Cardinals. He entered the day with a .228 slugging percentage, 19 home runs, and a .428 slugging percentage.

DeJong’s injury during 2023 spring training created an opportunity for Masyn Winn to showcase his skills and prove he is even more advanced than some predicted before last season.

Winn got his first taste of the big leagues late last season after the Cardinals traded DeJong and Tommy Edman became a regular in the outfield. This season, Winn has taken over as the club’s everyday shortstop and one of the top rookies in the National League.

Winn and DeJong crossed paths before last spring training. DeJong spent time rehabbing at the alternate training site in Springfield during the 2020 season. DeJong spent time in the minor leagues when he struggled batting in 2022. Last season, when DeJong went to Memphis to rehab, he also spent time with Winn.

“The guy is one of the best teammates I’ve ever been around,” Winn said of DeJong. “For him to be a big-league player, a certified big-league player, and then get thrown out and still be a great guy every day in the clubhouse showed his character and the kind of person he was. He never complained about anything. He showed up, worked hard and played really hard.”

Before Saturday night, catcher Ivan Herrera had not appeared in a game for Triple-A Memphis since Aug. 4. Herrera, who began this MLB season as the primary backup for catcher Willson Contreras, was sidelined with a left shoulder strain.

In 18 games for Memphis this season, Herrera has a .241 batting average, a .405 on-base percentage and a .448 slugging percentage.

In 54 MLB games this season, Herrera has hit .279/.340/.378.

Herrera’s MLB struggles have been mostly defensive this season, especially in the run game. He’s thrown out just three of 41 runners attempted to steal the ball this season. The Cardinals’ ERA with Herrera behind the plate (4.22) was also higher than with either Contreras (4.08) or Pedro Pages (3.87).

Right-handed reliever Riley O’Brien threw a scoreless inning out of the bullpen for Memphis on Friday night. He has been on the injured list since March 29 with a right forearm flexor strain.

He has made nine appearances since July 20.

On Friday night, he finished the team’s game in order after 12 pitches. He recorded three groundouts.

The Cardinals are expected to make a decision on O’Brien’s status in the coming days. He is currently on the 60-day injured list, so the Cardinals will have to make room for him on the 40-man roster when he returns from the injured list.

They will then have to decide whether to add him to the major league bullpen or potentially trade him to Triple-A.