The Blues now have their full complement of defensemen available to them as the team announced that they have activated Robert Bortuzzo off injured reserve. He had missed the last ten games due to an upper-body injury.
The 31-year-old has played just twice this season before sustaining the injury. He has been in a depth role with St. Louis for the past several years and will likely battle Carl Gunnarsson and Niko Mikkola for playing time. They’re currently carrying eight blueliners on the roster although Mikkola is waiver-exempt but their AHL affiliate in Springfield opted out of playing this season which presents some challenges if they want to send him down.
The team also made several other roster moves. Robert Thomas was played on IR after it was revealed earlier today that he’ll miss four-to-six weeks with a broken thumb. With Bortuzzo returning, Jake Walman was sent to the taxi squad. Lastly, St. Louis recalled center Jacob de la Rose from their taxi squad, sending winger Mackenzie MacEachern down to the taxi squad in a corresponding move. Both Walman and MacEachern have played once with the Blues this season while de la Rose has yet to suit up.