NL Central Notes; Wong sits again, Pirates add Masterson

Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong sat again on Wednesday, after already missing one start.  Manager Mike Matheny said that he wanted Wong to get some time to have a mental reboot. He added that he thought that Wong was being a bit hard on himself during his first couple of years in the big leagues.

Wong had a three hit game, being on base five times in a game on Saturday, but went 0 for his next nine during the next two games.

More from around the National League Central:

• The Pirates signed Justin Masterson to a minor-league deal. The 31-year-old could be another project for the Pirates to solve, which they tend to like anyway.
• Javier Baez is heading back to Chicago. Baez was scheduled to travel to the Iowa Cubs to continue his rehab assignment, but he is being called up to the big league club. He will give manager Joe Maddon another versatile option to plug into the lineup.
• Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani is looking towards a rehab start. DeSclafani threw a 45-pitch bullpen session and had no setbacks, which should allow him to move towards a minor-league rehab start.
• Another starter, Brewers' Wily Peralta, struggled for his third straight outing. He lasted only five innings on Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing seven hits, two walks and five runs. The Brewers number one pitcher heading into the season hasn't looked like one, sporting an 0-3 record and a 10.13 ERA.