TOWER GROVE — The four roster moves announced moments ago by the St. Louis Cardinals’ Low-A affiliate in Quad Cities contains a short sentence that describes the end of a long wait.

RHP Josh Wilson reinstated from Quad Cities Restricted List

Wilson, the 70th overall pick in that remarkable 2005 draft, retired last year, ending his professional career at the Low-A level after entering the game with some high expectations. (He was taken three spots ahead of Minnesota’s Kevin Slowey and five spots ahead of Atlanta’s Yunel Escobar.) But he grew weary of injuries and rehab and the chronic soreness in his right arm. So he walked away.

Until this spring.

Wilson’s agent contacted the Cardinals during spring training and asked if there might be a spot open for him in minor-league spring training. The Cardinals welcomed him back, put him in extended spring so he could prove his health, prove his commitment and now … he’s active. Quad Cities made four moves this morning. They released outfielder Brian Buck, reassigned lefty George Brown, promoted youngster Frederick Parejo (the NY-Penn teenage All-Star and from last season) and moved Wilson off the inactive list.

Wilson, now 22, was limited to 21 innings total from 2007 to 2008. He returned to a regular rotation last season and went 1-5 with a 4.21 ERA in 15 games (11 starts) for Quad Cities last season. He struck out 41 and walked 18 in his 68 1/3 innings. Coaches who saw him said he was just starting to show quality stuff — and the return of his arm strength — in the starts just before he retired.

Here’s a look at him and his stuff from last year, courtesy Future Redbirds.

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