Signing Wong to a big contract was a mistake. Struggling second baseman sent to minors

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Kolton Wong makes a throw to first base to get San Francisco Giants Brandon Belt to end the eighth inning at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on June 4, 2016. St. Louis won the game 7-4. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Signing Kolten Wong to a five-year deal this offseason that could potentially pay him $25 million when it’s all said and done was a big mistake.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak handed Wong a big contract to a now 25-year old who was coming off a .269 season at the plate and 17 errors at second base.  Numbers and performances that didn’t show he was worthy of such a deal.

Late Monday afternoon, the Cardinals optioned Wong to Memphis (AAA).  The move opens up space on the team’s 25-man active roster for Jhonny Peralta.

Wong, appeared in 49 games, starting 35, with St. Louis this season, batting .222 (28-126).

Peralta injured his left thumb on March 5 during a Spring Training game and underwent surgery shortly after to repair ligament damage.  He played nine games during an injury rehabilitation assignment with stops in Single-A Peoria (five games, 3-for-13), Double-A Springfield (one game, 0-for-2) and High-A Palm Beach (three games, 3-for-11).