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Andre Pallante Andre Pallante Strikes out seven in loss
Sun, May 17, 2026, 5:35 PM
Pallante (4-4) allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over 6.2 innings to take the loss versus the Royals on Sunday.
Analysis: Pallante put forth a good performance, throwing 71 of 99 pitches for strikes in his longest outing of the campaign. This was his best effort in a loss all season, and it's the second time in nine starts he's avoided issuing a walk. Overall, the 27-year-old is at a 4.04 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 40:19 K:BB through 49 innings. He has alternated wins and losses over his last seven games, and he'll look to get back in the win column on the road versus the Reds in his next projected outing. |
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Masyn Winn Masyn Winn Dealing with knee discomfort
Sun, May 17, 2026, 4:38 PM
Winn is considered day-to-day after exiting Sunday's 2-0 loss to the Royals with left knee discomfort, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Winn was forced to leave the game in the seventh frame after reaching base on a fielder's choice. Although it sounds like he avoided a major injury, manager Oli Marmol said that the infielder will undergo further examination during the team's off-day Monday. If Wynn is forced to miss any action moving forward, Cesar Prieto could get a shot at taking over at shortstop. |
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Masyn Winn Masyn Winn Exits with apparent leg injury
Sun, May 17, 2026, 3:26 PM
Winn was removed from Sunday's game against the Royals due to an apparent leg injury, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Winn grounded into a fielder's choice during the seventh inning and was replaced by a pinch runner after appearing to tweak his leg while running to first base. The Cardinals have a team day off Monday, so the shortstop will have a full day to aid in his recovery ahead of Tuesday's series opener versus Pittsburgh. |
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Promising start at High-A
Sun, May 17, 2026, 11:53 AM
Fajardo has posted a 2.83 ERA and 42:6 K:BB over his first 28.2 innings at High-A Peoria this season.
Analysis: His numbers were much better before his last outing, as Fajardo permitted a season-high five runs in four frames while doubling his season walk total with three free passes. Prior to that, he hadn't surrendered more than one earned run in any of his first six outings. Fajardo doesn't turn 20 until October, making his performance during his first stint in the Midwest League all the more impressive. He was acquired from the Red Sox over the winter in the Willson Contreras trade. |
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Offering mixed bag at Double-A
Sun, May 17, 2026, 11:46 AM
Cijntje tied his career high with 10 strikeouts but was charged with four runs (three earned) over 4.1 innings in Double-A Springfield's loss to Tulsa on Saturday.
Analysis: Cijntje has struck out 46 batters across 35.2 innings in his eight starts with Springfield, but he's also walked 20 and holds a 6.06 ERA. The switch pitcher has thrown a bit from the left side this season, but his focus has been developing as a right-hander. Cijntje was acquired from the Mariners over the offseason in the deal that sent Brendan Donovan to Seattle. |
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Jimmy Crooks Jimmy Crooks Up to 13 home runs at Triple-A
Sun, May 17, 2026, 11:39 AM
Crooks went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a pair of walks in Triple-A Memphis' win over Jacksonville.
Analysis: The long ball was Crooks' 13th of the season, which is only one off the career-high 14 homers he had at Memphis in 2025. He's also sporting a 17.7 percent walk rate and 30.6 percent strikeout rate, so it's been a three-true-outcomes season for the 24-year-old backstop. Crooks has a lot more offensive upside than Pedro Pages and is also a good defender, but the Cardinals like Pages' defense and handling of the pitching staff. A promotion for Crooks doesn't appear imminent. |
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Joshua Baez Joshua Baez Homers, strikeouts up at Triple-A
Sun, May 17, 2026, 11:09 AM
Baez is slashing .233/.307/.487 with 10 home runs, seven stolen bases and a 34.3 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A Memphis this season.
Analysis: Baez homered for the third time in four games Friday and then wore the golden sombrero Saturday with strikeouts in all four of his plate appearances. It's a perfect microcosm of his season, as Baez is hitting for plenty of power but also swinging and missing a lot during his first stint in the Pacific Coast League. Cutting his strikeout rate to 20.6 percent between High-A and Double-A in 2025 was a major reason why Baez was able to break out, but his strikeout rate has regressed early on in 2026. Baez still has a chance to debut for the Cardinals at some point this season, but the club likely wants to see him get his whiffs under control first. |
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George Soriano George Soriano Picks up second save
Sat, May 16, 2026, 6:02 PM
Soriano gave up a run on two hits in the ninth inning Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Royals.
Analysis: With Riley O'Brien having pitched Thursday and Friday and the Cardinals holding a fairly comfortable three-run lead, Soriano got the call to close things out but served up a solo shot to Jac Caglianone and a single to Isaac Collins to make things interesting. Soriano has worked his way into a high-leverage role in his first season with St. Louis, posting a 3.66 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 16:10 K:BB over 19.2 innings with a win and eight holds in 21 appearances in addition to his two saves. |
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Kyle Leahy Kyle Leahy Stingy in fifth win
Sat, May 16, 2026, 5:58 PM
Leahy (5-3) picked up the win in Saturday's 4-2 victory over the Royals, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out two.
Analysis: The right-hander completed six innings for the first time this season, collecting his first quality start on 90 pitches (59 strikes). Leahy has benefitted from some solid offensive support in 2026, with the Cardinals averaging 4.6 runs in his nine starts to help offset his 3.94 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 34:20 K:BB through 45.2 innings. He'll look to win his fourth straight decision in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in Cincinnati. |
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JJ Wetherholt JJ Wetherholt Sitting down Saturday
Sat, May 16, 2026, 12:00 PM
Wetherholt isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals.
Analysis: The Cardinals haven't shied away from starting Wetherholt against left-handers, but they'll give him a breather Saturday with southpaw Noah Cameron on the bump for Kansas City. Thomas Saggese will fill in at second base and bat sixth. |
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Jared Shuster Jared Shuster Designated for assignment
Sat, May 16, 2026, 11:05 AM
The Cardinals designated Shuster for assignment Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: The 27-year-old will end up as the roster casualty necessary to make room for Matt Pushard's (knee) return from the injured list. Shuster has performed well during his time with St. Louis, allowing just two earned runs through 7.2 innings. However, his 7.25 ERA at Triple-A over the past two seasons could dissuade other teams from picking him up off waivers. |
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Matt Pushard Matt Pushard Activated from IL
Sat, May 16, 2026, 11:01 AM
The Cardinals reinstated Pushard (knee) from the injured list Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Pushard landed on the injured list at the end of March with right knee tendinitis. He's made 11 rehab appearances at Triple-A Memphis since then, recording a 3.55 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 10 strikeouts over 12.2 innings. Now that the Rule 5 pick is fully healthy, the Cardinals will keep him in their big-league bullpen and likely use him as a middle reliever. Jared Shuster was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. |
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Ramon Urias Ramon Urias Gets elbow injury re-evaluated
Sat, May 16, 2026, 10:36 AM
Urias was scheduled to get his injured right elbow re-evaluated by a doctor Friday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Out since early May with tennis elbow, Urias has spent the past week getting treatment and doing strengthening exercises, and he was able to progress to on-field work pregame Friday. It's unclear what the result was from Friday's doctor visit, but Urias could soon get clearance to ramp up his activities. The veteran infielder is eligible to return now but does not yet have a timetable. |
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Jordan Walker Jordan Walker Goes yard once again
Sat, May 16, 2026, 8:18 AM
Walker went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's extra-innings win over the Royals.
Analysis: Walker was one of three St. Louis players who recorded multi-hit performances, and the outfielder continues to enjoy a breakout season in 2026. This was his 13th long ball of the campaign, and he's hit safely in all but four of his 13 games in May. Walker is hitting .367 with a 1.181 OPS, four homers, 11 RBI, 11 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 7:10 BB:K across 56 plate appearances this month. |
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Dustin May Dustin May Goes six innings in no-decision
Sat, May 16, 2026, 7:58 AM
May didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Royals, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks across six innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: May has gone winless in his last four starts (0-2), but he's posted a quality start in each of those outings. He's now allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last seven outings, posting a 2.83 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and 28:12 K:BB across 41.1 frames over that stretch. May will aim to keep this strong run going in his next start, scheduled to come against the Pirates. |
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Gordon Graceffo Gordon Graceffo Earns win in relief Friday
Sat, May 16, 2026, 7:37 AM
Graceffo (3-1) earned the win in relief Friday against the Royals after tossing a scoreless 10th inning. He issued one walk.
Analysis: Graceffo only tossed seven of his 14 pitches for strikes, and he walked the first batter he faced, but the righty emerged from the inning unscathed and ended up getting the win after the Cardinals won the game in the bottom of the 11th inning. Graceffo hasn't provided a lot of fantasy value out of the Cardinals' bullpen. He hasn't recorded a strikeout in his last five outings, a stretch in which he's issued three walks while allowing three earned runs and two homers across 5.1 frames. |
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Matt Pushard Matt Pushard Could return on homestand
Fri, May 15, 2026, 8:22 AM
Pushard (knee) could be activated from the 15-day injured list during the Cardinals' homestand beginning May 15, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Pushard has turned in seven innings of one-run ball with an 8:3 K:BB over his last six rehab appearances, and his 30-day rehab clock expires this week. The Cardinals intend to keep the Rule 5 pick around, so his activation appears imminent. Pushard has been dealing with right knee tendinitis. |
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Lars Nootbaar Lars Nootbaar Beginning rehab assignment
Fri, May 15, 2026, 8:17 AM
Nootbaar (heels) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Palm Beach on Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Nootbaar has been ramping up workouts at the Cardinals' spring training facility in Florida and is finally ready to test things out in a game setting. It will be his first game action since he underwent offseason surgery to address painful growths on both heels. He's eligible for activation from the 60-day injured list May 24, but it's likely Noobaar will need a little more time than that. When he does make it back onto St. Louis' active roster, Nootbaar could take over left field from the lackluster duo of Nathan Church (.681 OPS in 136 PAs) and Thomas Saggese (.380 OPS in 65 PAs). |
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Packy Naughton Packy Naughton Set for elbow surgery
Thu, May 14, 2026, 2:56 PM
Naughton will undergo surgery next week to repair the damaged UCL in his left elbow, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Naughton has been sidelined at Triple-A Memphis since early April due to elbow trouble, and he's now officially opted to undergo surgery for the third time in the last two years. A timeline for his return will emerge after his procedure, though there's a strong chance that he will end up missing most, if not all, of the remaining 2026 schedule. |
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Pedro Pages Pedro Pages Exiting starting nine
Thu, May 14, 2026, 11:12 AM
Pages is out of the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Athletics.
Analysis: Ivan Herrera has been Michael McGreevy's personal catcher this season, and they will form Thursday's battery. Pages has had a rough start to May offensively, going 2-for-26 with a 1:9 BB:K. |
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