Carlos Gomez, whose disappointing tenure in Houston ended Wednesday when the veteran center fielder was designated for assignment, has reportedly piqued the interest of a perennial playoff contender from the midwest.

Sitting a half-game back of a postseason spot, the St. Louis Cardinals are curious about Gomez, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, who notes the club had interest in the two-time All-Star before Matt Holliday fractured his thumb Thursday.

Gomez, 30, was removed from Houston's 40-man roster Wednesday, giving the Astros another eight days to either trade, outright, or release him (in which case the club would still be responsible for the remainder of his $9-million salary for 2016).

Acquired ahead of last year's trade deadline, Gomez hit just .242/.288/.383 down the stretch in 2015 and regressed even more this year, posting a brutal .594 OPS in 85 games before getting DFA'd.

"It's not a secret that I wasn't doing my job," Gomez told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. "I'm really disappointed in myself. The organization traded for me because they needed a center fielder, and they gave me all the opportunity and I didn't do my job. I feel bad about this."