| News |
|---|
|
Matthew Liberatore Matthew Liberatore Unconcerned after early exit
Fri, Jun 6, 2025, 9:43 AM
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said his concern level was "not high" after Liberatore exited Thursday's start versus the Royals due to fatigue, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: The velocity on Liberatore's four-seamer dropped below 90 mph in the fifth inning, prompting a visit from Marmol and the trainer and the pitcher's eventual removal. However, Liberatore did not undergo imaging and there doesn't appear to be any worry that he's injured. Rather, the pitcher believes mechanical issues were the main factor in him feeling fatigued. Liberatore has struggled in back-to-back starts and it's possible he's going through a "dead arm" phase after he spent the bulk of last season in a relief role. The lefty is tentatively lined up to face the Blue Jays at home next week, but the date of his next start is not set in stone. |
|
Willson Contreras Willson Contreras Racks up four hits in doubleheader
Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 10:22 PM
Contreras went 4-for-8 with two doubles, one walk, four RBI and two runs scored as the Cardinals split Thursday's doubleheader versus the Royals.
Analysis: Contreras hadn't posted a multi-hit effort since May 16, which was coincidentally also against the Royals. He's hit safely in six straight games, including logging a double in four of them. For the season, the 33-year-old is at a .250/.328/.391 slash line with six home runs, 36 RBI, 28 runs scored, 13 doubles and two stolen bases over 58 games. |
|
Nolan Arenado Nolan Arenado Goes yard in loss
Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 10:19 PM
Arenado went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 7-5 loss to the Royals in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader.
Analysis: Arenado went 0-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored in the matinee contest. His homer tied the nightcap at 5-5, but the Cardinals didn't score again after that. The third baseman has three homers and 12 RBI over his last 13 contests, but he's gone just 9-for-49 (.184) with three walks in that span. After a hot start to the year, it looked like his struggles from the last two years were behind him, but he's since slumped to a .228/.296/.379 slash line over 57 contests. Arenado has added seven homers, 31 RBI, 27 runs scored and one stolen base this season. |
|
Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Productive in Thursday's twin bill
Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 10:15 PM
Herrera went 3-for-7 with a two-run home run and a walk as the Cardinals split Thursday's doubleheader versus the Royals.
Analysis: Herrera was the designated hitter for both games, which continues to be his main place in the lineup. The matinee was his first multi-hit effort since May 20, ending a stretch of 11 contests where he went a meager 6-for-38 (.158). For the season, Herrera is at a .333/.417/.578 slash line, six homers, 28 RBI, 18 runs scored and one stolen base over 30 contests. Even though he's slowed down with the bat in recent weeks, his spot as a near-everyday member of the lineup appears to be safe. |
|
Matthew Liberatore Matthew Liberatore Dealing with fatigue
Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 8:47 PM
Liberatore exited Thursday's start in the second game of a doubleheader against the Royals due to fatigue, Jim Hayes reports.
Analysis: Liberatore labored through four innings, allowing six earned runs on eight hits and a walk. His velocity was also down to 89.8 mph in his final at-bat, so fatigue is seemingly the best news possible. It's unclear if Liberatore will require further testing or whether he will take his next turn through the rotation. |
|
Matthew Liberatore Matthew Liberatore Exits with trainer
Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 8:14 PM
Liberatore exited the second game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Cardinals' head athletic trainer, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports
Analysis: Liberatore struggled across four innings prior to his exit, allowing six earned runs on eight hits and one walk. The exact nature of the injury is unclear, but his velocity dipped to 89.5 mph against the final batter he faced, per John Denton of MLB.com. |
|
Ryan Helsley Ryan Helsley Takes third blown save
Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 5:29 PM
Helsley allowed a run on two hits and a walk to take a blown save in a 6-5 extra-inning win over the Royals in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader.
Analysis: Helsley converted all nine of his save chances in May, allowing three runs over 11 innings with a 13:3 K:BB for the month. He struggled in his first appearance of June after four days without taking the mound. Helsley has been far from elite this year, but he's still finding success with 13 of 16 save chances converted so far. He's added a 3.27 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB across 22 innings. His 4.9 BB/9 is well above the 3.1 he posted last year, which largely explains his occasional struggles with run prevention in 2025. |
|
Miles Mikolas Miles Mikolas Turns in quality start
Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 5:25 PM
Mikolas allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two over six innings in a no-decision in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Royals.
Analysis: Mikolas was pushed back a day after Wednesday's game was postponed due to weather. He's earned a quality start in three of his last four outings, though he didn't get any run support during his time on the mound Thursday. He also allowed a home run for the fourth time in six starts, though Mikolas has generally found success by keeping the ball down this year. The 36-year-old right-hander is now at a 3.96 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 36:17 K:BB through 61.1 innings over 12 starts this season. He's projected to make his next start during a home series versus the Blue Jays. |
|
Jordan Walker Jordan Walker Gets injection for injured wrist
Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 11:05 AM
Cardinals manager Carlos Marmol said that Walker will not swing a bat for a few days after being given an anti-inflammatory injection Wednesday in his injured left wrist, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Walker tried to take swings off a tee Monday but had to stop due to continued soreness in the wrist. He underwent additional imaging after that setback, and no structural damage was found. The hope is that the shot will knock out the inflammation in Walker's wrist and that he will be able to ramp up workouts again soon. The outfielder will not be ready for activation from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Sunday. |
|
Michael McGreevy Michael McGreevy Could draw start Sunday
Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 10:16 AM
McGreevy could be recalled from Triple-A Memphis to make a spot start Sunday against the Dodgers, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: The Cardinals are likely to use a spot starter at least once this month as they navigate a stretch with 28 games in 29 days. McGreevy was pulled from Tuesday's start with Memphis after throwing 75 pitches over 4.1 scoreless innings, seemingly in an effort to keep his arm as fresh as possible for a start this weekend. Giving McGreevy a start Sunday would allow extra rest for Andre Pallante, who has a 7.47 ERA over his last three starts. |
|
Riley O'Brien Riley O'Brien Up as 27th man for doubleheader
Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 9:21 AM
The Cardinals recalled O'Brien from Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.
Analysis: O'Brien will serve as the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader against the Royals and will likely be sent back down after the twin bill. The right-handed reliever has made three appearances in the majors this season, allowing three runs with a 2:2 K:BB 2.2 innings. |
|
Victor Scott II Victor Scott II Sitting for first game of day
Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 9:12 AM
Scott is out of the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Royals.
Analysis: The Royals are sending a southpaw (Noah Cameron) to the bump for the first game of the twin bill, so the left-handed-hitting Scott will take a seat while Lars Nootbaar slides over to center field. Scott is slashing just .185/.274/.222 in 64 plate appearances versus lefties on the season. |
|
Miles Mikolas Miles Mikolas Wednesday's start rained out
Wed, Jun 4, 2025, 4:27 PM
Mikolas and the Cardinals won't face the Royals on Wednesday, as the game was postponed due to rain, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Wednesday's game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Thursday, and Mikolas will likely take the mound at some point during the twin bill. The veteran right-hander has already made a start against the Royals this season, during which he twirled six shutout innings while giving up just two hits and two walks while striking out four batters on May 17. |
|
Ryan Vilade Ryan Vilade Gets start versus lefty
Wed, Jun 4, 2025, 2:08 PM
Vilade is starting in right field and batting seventh in Wednesday's game against the Royals.
Analysis: With left-hander Noah Cameron on the bump for the Royals, the right-handed-hitting Vilade will draw his first start since being called up by the Cardinals last week. Between Triple-A Memphis and his one plate appearance with St. Louis, Vilade has a .901 OPS against lefties in 2025. |
|
Nolan Gorman Nolan Gorman Homers, reaches three times
Wed, Jun 4, 2025, 11:06 AM
Gorman went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in Tuesday's loss to the Royals.
Analysis: Gorman started at designated hitter in what was his first time in the lineup in a week and immediately made his presence felt with a two-run blast off Michael Lorenzen in his first plate appearance. With Alec Burleson playing the outfield while Jordan Walker (wrist) is sidelined, Gorman could see more action in the DH spot in the immediate future, although that would require Ivan Herrera being used more frequently at catcher. |
|
Jordan Walker Jordan Walker Feels soreness hitting off tee
Wed, Jun 4, 2025, 10:41 AM
Walker felt soreness in his injured left wrist while hitting off a tee Monday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Walker went through additional imaging of the wrist joint afterward and it did not show any structural damage. While the setback seems to be minor, it's not clear when Walker will be ready to swing a bat again, and a minimum stay on the 10-day injured list now appears unlikely. Walker is eligible for activation June 8. |
|
Alec Burleson Alec Burleson Goes deep in three-hit attack
Tue, Jun 3, 2025, 10:55 PM
Burleson went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 10-7 loss to Kansas City.
Analysis: It was Burleson's first three-hit attack since May 14, and he also ended a 10-game homerless dry spell. The 26-year-old slugger is still tearing the cover off the ball of late, as he's batting .338 with five home runs, four doubles and 12 RBI over his last 21 outings (68 at-bats). The lefty-hitting Burleson has worked as one of St. Louis' top designated hitters versus right-handed pitching, but he's taken just 14 at-bats against southpaws on the campaign. |
|
Andre Pallante Andre Pallante Struggles continue in poor outing
Tue, Jun 3, 2025, 10:11 PM
Pallante didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Royals after giving up seven runs on seven hits and no walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out two.
Analysis: The seven runs allowed marked a season worst for Pallante, who tends to keep the ball on the ground but fell victim to the long ball Tuesday. Bobby Witt tagged him for a two-run blast in the opening inning, and Nick Loftin added a solo shot in the fifth frame. Pallante posted a 3.22 ERA through his first four starts, but he has a 5.77 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 29:16 K:BB over his previous eight. With a tall task against the Dodgers awaiting him in his next scheduled outing, the 26-year-old right-hander won't be a recommended fantasy option in that one. |
|
Nolan Gorman Nolan Gorman Drawing rare start
Tue, Jun 3, 2025, 1:43 PM
Gorman is starting at designated hitter and batting eighth in Tuesday's game versus the Royals.
Analysis: Playing time has been hard to come by lately for Gorman. This will be his first start in a week and only his sixth start across the Cardinals' last 20 contests. |
|
Pedro Pages Pedro Pages Taking seat Tuesday
Tue, Jun 3, 2025, 1:41 PM
Pages is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Royals.
Analysis: Pages has been receiving the lion's share of starts at catcher lately while Ivan Herrera slots in at designated hitter, but it will be Herrera behind the dish for Tuesday's series opener. Nolan Gorman is at DH for the Cardinals. |
Connect With Us:
