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Nelson Velazquez Nelson Velazquez Continues push for roster spot
Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 3:29 PM
Velazquez clubbed a two-run home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.
Analysis: Velazquez took Sean Manaea deep to the opposite field in the bottom of the first inning for his third home run of the spring. The three long balls tie him for the team lead, and he also boasts a 5:2 BB:K. The lack of a 40-man roster spot works against him, but Velazquez is making a real push for starts in left field for the Cardinals early in the season while Lars Nootbaar (heels) is sidelined. |
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Lars Nootbaar Lars Nootbaar To ramp up running program
Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 2:17 PM
Nootbaar (heels) has been increasing his agility drills and is soon slated to ramp up his running program, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Nootbaar's running will occur on an altered-gravity treadmill, so while his progression from offseason surgery on both heels is coming along slowly but surely, he does not appear close to being cleared for game action. The 28-year-old outfielder will begin the campaign on the injured list, and there remains no firm timetable for when he might be ready for his season debut. |
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Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Expected back in action soon
Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 2:09 PM
Herrera's (knee) return to Grapefruit League play is considered imminent, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Herrera played in a "B" game Wednesday and has been returning to full workouts as he recovers from inflammation in his knee. The Cardinals could choose to ease him back into games at designated hitter before giving him more reps a catcher, but either way it seems Herrera will be back in the lineup in a day or two. Herrera is 2-for-7 at the plate in limited action so far this spring. |
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Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Gets at-bats in backfields game
Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 12:11 PM
Herrera (knee) got eight plate appearances in a backfields game in Cardinals camp Wednesday, Brian Walton of TheCardinalNation.com reports.
Analysis: Herrera -- who homered in his first plate appearance Wednesday -- has been slowed recently by knee inflammation. He had hoped to return to Grapefruit League action by now, but his participation in a "B" game suggests that should be coming soon. Herrera is expected to open the season as the Cardinals' primary designated hitter but will also see action at catcher. |
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Bruce Zimmermann Bruce Zimmermann Cut from big-league camp
Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 11:43 AM
The Cardinals reassigned Zimmermann to minor-league camp Tuesday.
Analysis: Zimmermann signed with the Cardinals on a minor-league deal in January after spending the 2025 season in the Brewers organization. The southpaw gave up six runs (five earned) in six innings in a late-season spot start with Milwaukee but otherwise spent the entire campaign at Triple-A Nashville, where he produced a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 109:30 K:BB in 138 innings. After falling short in his bid for a spot on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster, Zimmermann is expected to serve as a swingman at Triple-A Memphis to begin the season. |
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Hunter Dobbins Hunter Dobbins Pitching in minor-league game
Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 9:28 AM
Dobbins (knee) will pitch in another minor-league game later this week, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Returning from last July's right ACL surgery, Dobbins threw four innings and around 65 pitches in a previous appearance on the back fields. He was pleased with how that outing went, saying "a lot of the movement profiles have increased" after "some of the tweaks we've been making." Dobbins will be permitted to field his position in the game later this week, but he will not be allowed to cover first base, as the Cardinals are still being protective of his surgically repaired knee. The 26-year-old is set to open the 2026 season either on the injured list or at Triple-A Memphis, but he's a candidate to see starts for St. Louis later this summer. |
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JoJo Romero JoJo Romero Among closer options
Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 1:21 PM
Romero is expected to be among the relievers in the mix to close games for the Cardinals this season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Manager Oliver Marmol appears willing to let the team's closer situation "solve itself" rather than naming a go-to ninth-inning man before the season. Romero shared the closer job with Riley O'Brien down the stretch last season after Ryan Helsley was traded, and he finished with a 2.07 ERA and 55:29 K:BB over 61 innings. Goold writes of Romero that the Cardinals "still could trade the lefty for the right return," but the chances of a trade are significantly lower now than they were earlier in the offseason. In addition to Romero and O'Brien, Matt Svanson and Ryne Stanek are expected to receive consideration for closing duties. |
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Matt Svanson Matt Svanson In mix to close games
Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 1:15 PM
Svanson is expected to be in the mix to close games for the Cardinals this season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Manager Oliver Marmol has indicated that he doesn't plan to name a closer heading into the season but expects the situation to "solve itself." Svanson did not record a save during his excellent rookie season, but he was particularly dominant in the second half with a 1.05 ERA and 44:12 K:BB over 34.1 innings. Riley O'Brien, JoJo Romero and Ryne Stanek are also among the candidates to see save opportunities in St. Louis. |
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Ryne Stanek Ryne Stanek Could be part of closer committee
Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 1:10 PM
The Cardinals could use Stanek as part of a closer-by-committee strategy, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Manager Oliver Marmol said of the Cardinals' closer job that "I don't think we need to name a guy," and he expects the situation to eventually "solve itself." Riley O'Brien, JoJo Romero and Matt Svanson are also in the mix for saves along with Stanek. The 34-year-old Stanek is the elder statesman of the group but is probably better suited for a setup role. Stanek collected a 5.30 ERA and 58:32 K:BB over 56 innings for the Mets in 2025. |
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Jordan Walker Jordan Walker Slow start to spring training
Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 9:16 AM
Walker is just 5-for-23 with zero extra-base hits and a 2:8 BB:K so far this spring.
Analysis: Per Bernie Miklasz of STL Sports Central, Walker is sporting a 60 percent groundball rate, and 80 percent of his batted balls have either been grounders or infield popups. It's too soon to make sweeping judgments, but the changes Walker made with his swing at Driveline Baseball over the offseason have yet to take hold. The Cardinals are going to give the 23-year-old plenty of leash in right field this season as he looks to right the ship after slashing just .211/.270/.324 over the last two seasons. |
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Nick Raquet Nick Raquet Cut from major-league camp
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 4:06 PM
The Cardinals optioned Raquet to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.
Analysis: Raquet made three appearances during Grapefruit League play, yielding one run with a 5:1 K:BB across three innings. The Cardinals don't have a ton of left-handed relief depth, so the lefty-throwing Raquet is a good bet to see some action at the big-league level this season. |
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Brycen Mautz Brycen Mautz Dropped from big-league camp
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 4:01 PM
The Cardinals optioned Mautz to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.
Analysis: The Cardinals previously hadn't dismissed the possibility of Mautz making the team as a reliever, but he will begin the season in the rotation at Triple-A Memphis. Mautz posted a 2.98 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 134:33 K:BB over 114.2 innings at Double-A Springfield in 2025. |
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Joshua Baez Joshua Baez Optioned to Triple-A
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 3:46 PM
The Cardinals optioned Baez to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.
Analysis: Shortly after homering in his third straight Grapefruit League game, Baez is cut from big-league camp. The 22-year-old had a breakout 2025 season, hitting .287/.384/.500 with 20 homers and 54 stolen bases between High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield. If Baez is able to carry over that success into a hot start in 2026, he could push for a major-league debut sooner rather than later. |
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Joshua Baez Joshua Baez Homers in third straight game
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 2:31 PM
Baez popped a two-run home run in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.
Analysis: Baez's seventh-inning blast off of Nestor German traveled 416 feet and was measured at 109.4 mph off the bat. It's the third long ball in as many games for Baez, who was added to the Cardinals' 40-man roster this offseason after a breakout 2025 campaign that saw him slash .287/.384/.500 with 20 homers and 54 stolen bases between High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield. Baez drew his first start in left field this spring Monday, and there is playing time available at that position with Lars Nootbaar (heels) expected to begin the season on the injured list. It's unlikely St. Louis would consider the 22-year-old for its Opening Day roster, but Baez could debut at some point this summer if he continues his upward trajectory. |
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Matthew Liberatore Matthew Liberatore Dazzles in Grapefruit League outing
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 2:20 PM
Liberatore permitted two runs while striking out seven across five frames in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.
Analysis: In addition to his seven punchouts, Liberatore did not issue a walk and picked up 16 swinging strikes on 65 pitches. It's the most whiffs for any pitcher in a single appearance so far this spring and is just one off Liberatore's regular-season high of 17. The left-hander has had an impressive showing this spring with a 2.70 ERA and 14:1 K:BB over 10 innings. Liberatore is expected to draw the Opening Day start for the Cardinals, though that has not yet been made official. |
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Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Aims to return Tuesday or Wednesday
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 10:27 AM
Herrera (knee) will go through a series of workouts Monday, with an eye on returning to Grapefruit League play Tuesday or Wednesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Herrera was scratched from the Cardinals' lineup Saturday against the Mets due to knee inflammation. He did some early-morning workouts Monday to test the knee and will continue with more activities to gauge his readiness to return to action. Herrera is projected to begin the season as St. Louis' primary designated hitter. He's also expected to be worked in at catcher, though it's possible the knee issue affects how often he's used behind the plate. |
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Nelson Velazquez Nelson Velazquez In mix for reps in left field
Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 12:57 PM
Velazquez is among the competitors for playing time in left field for the Cardinals while Lars Nootbaar (heels) is sidelined, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Nootbaar is expected to get a late start to the season as he continues his recovery from surgery on both heels. In camp as a non-roster invitee, Velazquez entered play Sunday having gone 5-for-17 with one home run, one double and a 2:1 BB:K over his first six Grapefruit League contests. The Cardinals' lineup leans lefty-heavy, which helps the right-handed-hitting Velazquez's case, but working against him is that he's the only one in the mix that's not already on the 40-man roster. Nathan Church, Jose Fermin and Thomas Saggese are also competing for reps in left field. |
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Kyle Leahy Kyle Leahy Spotless in third Grapefruit start
Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 12:45 PM
Leahy struck out five across four perfect innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League start against the Mets.
Analysis: Leahy bounced back from a rough second spring training outing with a stellar effort Saturday, requiring only 47 pitches to cruise through his four frames. The right-hander remains a favorite to capture one of the final spots in the Cardinals' rotation, and that the club is considering opening the year with a six-man setup would only increase his chances. |
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Riley O'Brien Riley O'Brien Scoreless frame in spring debut
Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 12:28 PM
O'Brien (calf) worked around a walk and a base hit to deliver a scoreless inning of relief Saturday in the Cardinals' 3-2 loss to the Mets in Grapefruit League play.
Analysis: A mild right calf strain suffered early in camp was enough to prevent O'Brien from pitching for Team South Korea in the World Baseball Classic, but after delivering a scoreless inning in his spring debut Saturday, the 31-year-old righty looks like he'll be ready to go for the start of the regular season. After the Cardinals dealt away Ryan Helsley last July, O'Brien moved into a higher-leverage role and collected four of the team's final five save chances of the 2025 campaign. With St. Louis making no major additions to its bullpen over the winter, O'Brien could head into Opening Day as the Cardinals' top option to close games, though manager Oliver Marmol may prefer to take a committee approach to the ninth inning. |
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Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Nursing knee inflammation
Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 12:23 PM
Herrera was scratched from Saturday's Grapefruit League lineup versus the Mets due to knee inflammation, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Herrera had been slated to start at designated hitter Saturday, though his previous few starts had come at catcher, where he's being reintroduced after offseason elbow surgery. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that Herrera will be given 24-48 hours to rest before his status is reevaluated. |
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