There have been numerous occasions this year when the St. Louis Cardinals and manager Oliver Marmol have been left with a short bench in key moments. In early July, third baseman Nolan Arenado played on July 4th, July 9th, July 10th, and July 11th before missing a week and playing again on July 18th.
Arenado was eventually placed on the Injured List on August 1st due to a shoulder strain. Throughout the first half of July, the Cardinals played down a man on the bench due to Arenado's pain and the front office's unwillingness to make a roster move.