MRI reveals slight calf tear for Cardinals' Wong

Kolten Wong's calf is in worse shape than initially expected.

The St. Louis Cardinals second baseman hasn't appeared in the team's starting lineup since Sept. 7 due to what he described as a sore left calf, but an MRI recently revealed a slight tear in the area.

Wong ran for the first time on Thursday and said although he's feeling better, he's not going to push it and risk further injury.

"They told me we're not going to push it," Wong told reporters. "We're too far in the season where it does not make sense for me to come back too quick and risk injury. If I can fix this injury and get it cleared and finish the year strong, that's a better option than trying to push through it and do more damage than good."

The 24-year-old, who believes he suffered the injury going after an infield hit on Sunday, will test his calf again Friday with more intensity. He hopes to be back on the field at some point throughout the weekend when the Cardinals square off against the Cincinnati Reds.