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Ryan Helsley Ryan Helsley Impressive in first save chance
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 11:17 PM
Helsley struck out the side and allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Twins.
Analysis: Helsley was called upon to protect a two-run lead and looked overpowering by touching 101 mph with his fastball to collect his first save of the season. He did surrender a two-out double to Harrison Bader to make things interesting, but Helsley proceeded to strike out Matt Wallner on four pitches to end the game. Helsley could be subject to trade rumors during the summer months, but he should be an elite closing option for now. |
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Sonny Gray Sonny Gray Steady in Opening Day victory
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 11:08 PM
Gray (1-0) allowed two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six across five innings to earn the win Thursday against the Twins.
Analysis: Gray was battling an illness late in spring training that had caused him to lose strength, though he didn't show any signs of weakness on Opening Day. He generated 11 called strikes and 12 swinging strikes across 77 total pitches, and the lone blemish on his box score came on a two-run homer by Harrison Bader in the fifth frame. Gray could lose some of the swing-and-miss stuff he showcased Thursday, but he should remain a reliable starter for fantasy purposes. |
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Sonny Gray Sonny Gray Ready to go for opener
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 8:29 AM
Gray (illness) will make his scheduled Opening Day start Thursday against the Twins, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Gray dealt with the flu for a week that sapped him of some strength and might have contributed to his decreased velocity this spring. However, he's feeling better and has been cleared to take the ball for the opener. The veteran right-hander held a 3.84 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 203:39 K:BB across 28 starts during his first season in St. Louis in 2024. |
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Alec Burleson Alec Burleson In line to DH Opening Day
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 4:13 PM
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that he plans to start Burleson at designated hitter and bat him fifth Opening Day against Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: It's the spot Burleson is for Monday's exhibition game versus Triple-A Memphis in what Marmol indicated is a preview of his Opening Day lineup. While Burleson is slated to serve as the primary DH against right-handed pitching, he will likely have to yield the spot to Nolan Gorman on occasion. |
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Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Expected to catch on Opening Day
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 4:05 PM
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that he's planning to start Herrera at catcher and bat him sixth Opening Day versus the Twins, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: The lineup the Cardinals are using in Monday's exhibition tilt against Triple-A Memphis -- one that features Herrera behind the plate -- is the same one Marmol is eyeing for the opener. Herrera has been in a competition with Pedro Pages for the St. Louis catcher job, and it appears Herrera will get the first crack at it. What the ultimate breakdown in playing time between the two catchers will be over the duration of the season isn't clear. |
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Brendan Donovan Brendan Donovan Slated to hit third in opener
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 4:00 PM
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that he plans to start Donovan at second base and bat him third in Thursday's opener against the Twins, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Marmol indicated that the Cardinals' lineup for Monday's exhibition game versus Triple-A Memphis -- which features Donovan in the three spot -- is the same setup he is planning for Opening Day. It's a favorable RBI spot for Donovan, who will bat behind Lars Nootbaar and Willson Contreras. |
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Sonny Gray Sonny Gray Has been battling flu
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 3:51 PM
Gray has been battling the flu recently, which has sapped him of his strength, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: It could help explain why Gray's velocity has been down this spring, though the righty suspects that starting his offseason throwing program later than usual also played a part. Gray said Monday that he's feeling better, and it does not seem as though his availability for Opening Day on Thursday is in question. |
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Lars Nootbaar Lars Nootbaar Poised to hit leadoff Opening Day
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 3:27 PM
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that he plans to hit Nootbaar leadoff Opening Day against the Twins, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Nootbaar is in the leadoff spot for Monday's exhibition game versus Triple-A Memphis in what Marmol indicated is a preview of how his lineup will look in the opener. Presumed leadoff man Masyn Winn is hitting ninth Monday following a rough spring and it appears that's where he'll reside initially, at least against right-handers. Nootbaar collected a .446 on-base percentage this spring and has a .348 OBP for his career. |
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Masyn Winn Masyn Winn Slated to bat ninth Opening Day
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 3:21 PM
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that he is planning to bat Winn ninth Opening Day versus Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Winn didn't hit anywhere other than leadoff during Grapefruit League games, but he is in the No. 9 spot for Monday's exhibition contest versus Triple-A Memphis in what Marmol indicated is a preview of his Opening Day lineup. The young shortstop went just 4-for-50 in Grapefruit League play and will begin the season at the bottom of the batting order, at least against righties. Winn could move back to the top of the lineup versus lefties. Lars Nootbaar is in the leadoff spot for Monday's exhibition. |
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Nick Anderson Nick Anderson Will report to Triple-A Memphis
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 11:12 AM
Anderson went unclaimed after exercising his upward mobility clause and will report to Triple-A Memphis, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Anderson did not make the Cardinals' Opening Day roster but will stick around in the organization as relief depth. He has an opt-out clause in his contract for May 30 if he's not added to the Cardinals' 26-man active roster by then. |
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Brendan Donovan Brendan Donovan Will see some reps at shortstop
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 8:49 AM
Donovan will start at shortstop for the Cardinals when Masyn Winn has a day off, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Winn's off days will be few and far between, but since the Cardinals aren't carrying a traditional backup shortstop on the roster, Donovan is poised for some reps there. Donovan does have some limited experience at shortstop, having made seven starts there in his career but just one over the last two seasons. It opens up the possibility of Donovan gaining additional position eligibility in fantasy. He will enter the season with eligibility at second base and the outfield and could add shortstop and third base to the list. |
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Alec Burleson Alec Burleson Will split reps at first base/DH
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 8:41 AM
Burleson is in line to split playing time at first base and designated hitter with Willson Contreras, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: The downstream effect of Victor Scott winning the center field job will create a playing time crunch for Nolan Gorman, but it appears Burleson's at-bats, at least against right-handed pitching, are secure. Burleson slashed .292/.341/.464 versus right-handed pitching last season. |
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Nolan Gorman Nolan Gorman Playing time looking uncertain
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 8:34 AM
Gorman's playing time could be reduced as a result of Victor Scott being named the Cardinals' starting center fielder, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: With the club committing to Scott in center field, that means Lars Nootbaar will primarily play left field and Brendan Donovan will receive the bulk of his starts at second base. That leaves the designed hitter spot for Gorman, but it sounds like Alec Burleson will be the priority there. Gorman should still see some starts versus right-handed pitching, but he will not be in the lineup regularly. The 24-year-old finished with a .671 OPS and 37.6 percent strikeout rate last season and has a .553 OPS this spring. |
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Matthew Liberatore Matthew Liberatore Will get 'long runway' in rotation
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 8:21 AM
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Sunday that Liberatore will receive "a long runway to figure out what he can do" in the rotation, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: The Cardinals will operate with a modified six-man rotation at the beginning of the season, with Liberatore part of it and Steven Matz pitching in relief for now before making a start on April 16. Michael McGreevy nearly won a rotation spot and looms at Triple-A Memphis, but it sounds as if Liberatore will be given a long leash in the rotation. The left-hander has a career 3.89 ERA as a reliever versus a 5.86 ERA as a starter. |
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Nolan Gorman Nolan Gorman Back in lineup Sunday
Sun, Mar 23, 2025, 1:55 PM
Gorman (illness) is starting at second base and batting fifth in Sunday's spring game against the Nationals, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Gorman has been battling an illness the past few days but will return to the lineup for the Cardinals' final Grapefruit League game. He's expected to see regular at-bats against right-handed pitching this year, though he's struggled to a .585 OPS across 17 games during spring training. |
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Jose Fermin Jose Fermin Optioned to Triple-A
Sun, Mar 23, 2025, 12:45 PM
The Cardinals optioned Fermin to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.
Analysis: It was reported Friday that Fermin had made St. Louis' Opening Day roster as a utility player, but he'll end up beginning the campaign at Triple-A. The 25-year-old could be up in the majors when the Cardinals need some infield depth. |
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Zack Thompson Zack Thompson Headed to IL
Sun, Mar 23, 2025, 11:28 AM
The Cardinals will place Thompson (lat) on the 15-day injured list Monday.
Analysis: Thompson is dealing with a Grade 1 lat strain and is in the midst of a 3-to-4 week shutdown from throwing. He had been competing for a roster spot prior to suffering the injury, but it seems likely he'll be sent to Triple-A when he's healthy enough to take the mound again. Thompson had a rough go during five appearances in the majors last season, posting a 9.53 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB over 17 innings. |
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Steven Matz Steven Matz Opening season in bullpen
Sun, Mar 23, 2025, 11:21 AM
Matz will work in long relief to begin the campaign, though he is expected to enter the rotation as a sixth starter April 16 against the Astros, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Matz was a candidate to land a spot in the Opening Day rotation, but he'll instead come out of the bullpen until St. Louis shifts to a six-man unit. The southpaw had a strong spring, posting a 2.29 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 11:6 K:BB over 19.2 innings, but he's had trouble staying healthy while working mostly as a starter during his 10-year big-league career. |
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Michael McGreevy Michael McGreevy Beginning campaign in minors
Sun, Mar 23, 2025, 11:14 AM
The Cardinals optioned McGreevy to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.
Analysis: McGreevy was in the running for a rotation spot and had an excellent spring with a 1.08 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 12:0 K:BB over 16.2 innings. However, St. Louis is giving Matthew Liberatore the fifth-starter role to begin the season, while McGreevy will start in the minors and Steven Matz will work in long relief. The Cardinals intend to go to a six-man rotation beginning April 16, per Katie Woo of The Athletic, and McGreevy seems to be a prime candidate to move into the big-league rotation at that point. |
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Matthew Liberatore Matthew Liberatore Beginning season in rotation
Sun, Mar 23, 2025, 11:04 AM
Liberatore will be St. Louis' fifth starter to begin the campaign, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: This news comes as a mild surprise after Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said in mid-March that Liberatore would likely open the season in the bullpen. Instead, the left-hander will work as St. Louis' fifth starter while Steven Matz will begin the campaign in the bullpen and Michael McGreevy will start the season in the minors. The Cardinals plan to move to a six-man rotation beginning April 16, giving Liberatore more leeway as a starter as long as his performance is up to par early in the campaign. |
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