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Jared Shuster Jared Shuster Lands in St. Louis as NRI
Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 10:38 AM
The Cardinals signed Shuster to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
Analysis: A first-round pick in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft, Shuster was once a prospect of some note. However, the left-hander's performance thus far at the major-league level hasn't been encouraging, as he holds a 5.27 ERA and 98:64 K:BB over 141.2 innings covering parts of three seasons. Shuster is capable of starting and relieving, and it's unclear what role the Cardinals have in mind for him, but he has a chance to make the roster on a rebuilding squad. |
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Alec Burleson Alec Burleson Shifting to first base
Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 10:30 AM
Burleson will become the Cardinals' everyday first baseman in 2026 following the trade of Willson Contreras (shoulder) to the Red Sox, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Burleson has primarily played the outfield in pro ball, but he has ample experience at first base, as well, having made 38 starts there during the 2025 season. The 27-year-old will have dual eligibility in fantasy leagues in 2026, but it's unclear whether he will see enough action in the outfield to retain eligibility there heading into 2027. The left-handed-hitting Burleson greatly improved versus left-handed pitching in 2025 -- slashing an adequate .271/.310/.398 -- and the Cardinals intend to give him everyday reps in 2026 rather than saddling him with a platoon partner. |
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Hunter Dobbins Hunter Dobbins Traded to Cardinals
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 7:14 PM
The Red Sox traded Dobbins (knee) to St. Louis on Sunday as part of a package for first baseman Willson Contreras (shoulder), Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Dobbins had his 2025 campaign cut short when he tore the ACL in his right knee while running to cover first base during a game against the Rays in mid-July. The hurler ultimately underwent surgery and ended the season on the 60-day injured list, though he began a throwing progression in early November and is slated to be ready for the start of spring training. Prior to getting hurt, Dobbins made 13 appearances (11 starts) during his first taste of the majors, posting a 4.13 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 45:17 K:BB across 61 innings. Dobbins could compete for a spot in St. Louis' rotation, but his low-strikeout profile isn't one that typically attracts the attention of fantasy managers. |
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Matt Koperniak Matt Koperniak Remains in organization
Fri, Dec 19, 2025, 12:48 PM
The Cardinals outrighted Koperniak to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.
Analysis: While no longer on the 40-man roster, Koperniak will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 27-year-old outfielder is coming off a poor 2025 season at Memphis, slashing .249/.322/.387 across 537 plate appearances. |
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Dustin May Dustin May Has put weight back on
Thu, Dec 18, 2025, 11:41 AM
May said Thursday that he currently weighs 220 pounds after pitching the 2025 season at 198-202 pounds, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: May had surgery for an esophagus rupture in 2024, which made it difficult for him to keep weight on. His goal this offseason has been to put that weight back on, and he hopes to be up to 225 pounds by spring training. May's fastball velocity was in the 59th percentile in 2025 after it was routinely in the 90-plus percentile in previous seasons, and it's possible the weight loss had something to do with it. The 28-year-old also noted that his arm is "back to normal" after he finished the season on the injured list with right elbow neuritis. May took a one-year, "prove it" contract from the Cardinals in hopes of bouncing back and reestablishing his market next offseason. |
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Matt Koperniak Matt Koperniak Booted from 40-man
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 4:24 PM
The Cardinals designated Koperniak for assignment Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Koperniak will lose his 40-man roster spot in order to make room for Dustin May, who officially signed with St. Louis on Wednesday. Koperniak, 27, spent all of 2025 at Triple-A Memphis and endured his worst minor-league season yet, slashing .249/.322/.387 across 537 plate appearances. |
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Brendan Donovan Brendan Donovan Recovered from abdominal surgery
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 12:12 PM
Donovan said Tuesday that he is "full go" in his offseason workouts following Oct. 7 abdominal surgery, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Donovan played through an injury to his abdominal wall for much of the second half before getting shut down late in the year and then having surgery. His offseason workouts are no longer restricted and he will arrive at spring training 100 percent. What team Donovan reports to in February remains to be seen, as he's widely expected to be traded this offseason. The Giants and Mariners reportedly are leading a pack of interested teams to land the super utility player. |
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Dustin May Dustin May Signs with Cardinals
Sat, Dec 13, 2025, 3:41 PM
May signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals on Saturday that includes a mutual option for 2027, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: May set a new career high with 132.1 innings pitched between the Dodgers and Red Sox in 2025, though his 4.96 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in the regular season both marked significant regression from previous years. Despite his recent struggles, the 28-year-old righty should have little trouble claiming a spot in a Cardinals rotation that doesn't feature much depth following the departure of Sonny Gray. |
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Tink Hence Tink Hence Role change considered
Wed, Dec 10, 2025, 1:01 PM
Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said Wednesday that the team has had internal conversations about whether to move Hence from a starting role to relief pitching, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: The Cardinals' main focus for Hence this offseason has been on a training and strengthening program, as well as some mechanical adjustments. The hope is that those things will help the 23-year-old stay healthy, but shifting Hence's role is also on the table. Hence was limited to just eight appearances in 2025 due to a lat strain and shoulder impingement, and injuries have prevented him from ever reaching 100 innings in a minor-league season. The righty entered the offseason healthy and without limitations. |
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Zack Thompson Zack Thompson Expected to be ready for spring
Tue, Dec 9, 2025, 3:29 PM
Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said Tuesday that Thompson (lat) should be ready for the start of spring training, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Thompson missed the entirety of the 2025 season due to a left lat strain, encountering multiple setbacks along the way. He was removed from the Cardinals' 40-man roster last month, but the southpaw remains in the organization and will compete for a roster spot in spring training. |
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Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Will be cleared to throw soon
Mon, Dec 8, 2025, 1:39 PM
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Herrera (elbow) will begin throwing in a matter of weeks, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Herrera underwent surgery in November to remove bone spurs from his right elbow and remains in the rehab phase of his recovery. The Cardinals anticipate him being ready to go for the beginning of spring training. Herrera will receive another opportunity to catch in 2026 after injuries limited him to designated hitter in the second half, though he is not expected to be a full-time catcher. |
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Zak Kent Zak Kent Claimed by St. Louis
Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 3:39 PM
The Cardinals claimed Kent off waivers from the Guardians on Friday.
Analysis: Kent was a full-time reliever for the first time in 2025. He posted a 4.58 ERA and 16:8 K:BB over 17.2 innings with the big club and a 2.84 ERA with 50 strikeouts over 38 frames at Triple-A Columbus. The righty will turn 28 in February and compete for a spot in the Cardinals' Opening Day bullpen. |
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Jordan Walker Jordan Walker Pleased with work at Driveline
Fri, Nov 28, 2025, 9:45 AM
Walker said earlier this week that he "found something" with his swing while working at Driveline Baseball in October that was "real exciting," Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Walker's assessment at Driveline determined that his back hip was collapsing on his swing, which caused him to drift forward and sap him of his power. He was put through drills with resistance bands and swing training that help him keep his hip back, and Walker said he feels like "I can crush anything they throw at me." In addition to his work at Driveline, Walker has also been given meal-prep and nutrition plans and gone through a strength and agility training plan given to him at Cressey Sports Performance, which focuses on flexibility. After slashing just .211/.270/.324 over the last two seasons and spending time in the minors both years to work on his swing, Walker knows he needs to show real progress in 2026, and it seems he's putting in the work to help him reach that goal. The rebuilding Cardinals plan to give the 23-year-old regular playing time in right field in 2026. |
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Kyle Leahy Kyle Leahy Expected to capture rotation spot
Tue, Nov 25, 2025, 11:22 AM
Leahy is expected to open the 2026 season in the Cardinals' rotation, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: The trade of Sonny Gray to the Red Sox further depleted St. Louis' rotation depth, and, barring a poor showing during spring training, it sounds like Leahy will win one of the five rotation slots. Leahy threw three innings in the Cardinals' final regular season game in 2025 in what was his first-ever start at the major-league level. He did work multiple frames out of the bullpen often this season, but Leahy has not been used as a starter regularly since 2022. If he is indeed in the rotation in 2026, some workload restrictions are likely to be in place, |
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Richard Fitts Richard Fitts Dealt to St. Louis
Tue, Nov 25, 2025, 10:48 AM
The Cardinals acquired Fitts and Brandon Clarke from the Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for Sonny Gray and cash considerations, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Fitts made 14 starts and one relief appearance for the Red Sox the past two years, collecting a 3.97 ERA and 49:23 K:BB over 65.2 innings. The right-hander is under team control through 2031 and stands a good chance to open the season in the Cardinals' rotation. Fitts ended the season on the injured list with right arm neuritis, but he entered the offseason without limitations. |
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Sem Robberse Sem Robberse Returning to St. Louis
Mon, Nov 24, 2025, 7:05 PM
Robberse (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Robberse was non-tendered by St. Louis on Friday, but the club has since elected to bring him back on a minor-league deal. He's currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss the first few months of the 2026 campaign. |
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Scott Blewett Scott Blewett Headed to St. Louis
Mon, Nov 24, 2025, 6:59 PM
Blewett signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Blewett spent the 2025 season with Atlanta, Baltimore and Minnesota, posting a 5.48 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 35 strikeouts over 44.1 innings (two starts). He'll get a fresh start with the Cardinals, where he figures to serve as organizational bullpen depth. |
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Yohel Pozo Yohel Pozo Re-signs with St. Louis
Mon, Nov 24, 2025, 1:28 PM
The Cardinals re-signed Pozo to a major-league contract with an invitation Monday.
Analysis: Pozo was non-tendered by St. Louis last week and is now back in the organization just a few days later. The Cardinals already have Ivan Herrera, Jimmy Crooks and Pedro Pages competing for reps at catcher on the major-league roster, but Pozo will also factor into the mix after coming to terms on a big-league deal. He slashed .231/.262/.375 with five home runs in 67 games for the Cardinals in 2025. |
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Jorge Alcala Jorge Alcala Designated for assignment
Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 6:15 PM
The Cardinals designated Alcala for assignment Tuesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Alcala struggled to find his footing on the mound in 2025, finishing the regular season with a 6.22 ERA and 1.75 WHIP across 55 total innings between Minnesota, Boston and St. Louis. He'll have the right to elect free agency if he clears waivers, although he may have to settle for a minor-league deal if he does so. |
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Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Will not be full-time catcher
Tue, Nov 4, 2025, 10:47 AM
Herrera (elbow) will return to catcher next season but is not expected to do so in a full-time capacity, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Herrera was the Cardinals' everyday designated hitter during the second half, but the plan is for him to return to catcher next season. However, while catcher is slated to be his primary position, it sounds like Herrera will still see lots of playing time in the DH slot. Jimmy Crooks is the favorite to pick up starts at catcher on days Herrera serves as the DH. Herrera underwent surgery last month to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, but he is expected to be ready for the start of spring training. |
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