ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Cardinals shake up the roster ahead of a pivotal series with the New York Yankees. Young outfielder Jordan Walker returns. Veteran outfielder Tommy Pham departs.

The Cardinals recalled Walker from Triple-A Memphis on Friday, nearly a week and a half removed from his last abbreviated stint with the big-league squad.

In a corresponding roster move, the Cardinals have designated Tommy Pham for assignment, or essentially released him from the squad.

The Cardinals placed Pham on waivers Thursday afternoon, and the DFA move removes him from the 40-man roster. Pham could join another team, either through clearing waivers or signing short after, and be eligible for postseason if he is rostered on a big-league squad by Sept. 1.

Walker, a top prospect last year, has made some strides since his latest minor-league option, collecting hits in five of his last six games with Memphis. He returns with lots left to be desired, looking to improve on a .145 batting average with 4 RBIs over 24 games at the MLB level this season.

Pham, who previously played in St. Louis from 2014-2018, initially made a big splash in his return, crushing a grand slam in his first game back and several key hits over his first few games. However, his production has dipped considerably in recent weeks, and he was just 3-for-39 over the last 15 games.

The Cardinals, 67-67, begin a six-game road trip against division two leaders, New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers, on Friday with little room for error if they hope to secure a postseason spot at the regular season’s end.