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Bruce Zimmermann Bruce Zimmermann Inks minors deal with Cardinals
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 8:18 AM
The Cardinals signed Zimmermann to a minor-league contract Jan. 5 that includes an invitation to spring training.
Analysis: Zimmermann made one spot start with the Brewers in 2025 but spent the rest of the season at Triple-A Nashville, where he held a 4.11 ERA and 109:30 K:BB over 138 innings. The left-hander will compete for a roster spot in spring training, but his likely role will be rotation depth at Triple-A Memphis. |
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Ryne Stanek Ryne Stanek Headed to St. Louis
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 7:27 PM
Stanek agreed to a contract with the Cardinals on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Analysis: Stanek endured one of the worst seasons of his MLB career during 2025, finishing the year with a 5.30 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 56 innings with the Mets. His recent performance will likely prevent him from taking on a high-leverage role right away with the Cardinals, though the team's lack of bullpen depth could enable him to pick up a handful of holds over the course of the season. |
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Nolan Gorman Nolan Gorman Avoids arbitration with Cardinals
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 2:17 PM
The Cardinals and Gorman avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.655 million contract Thursday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: It was Gorman's first year of arbitration eligibility. The 25-year-old has regressed at the dish over the last two seasons, finishing 2025 with a .666 OPS, 14 home runs and a 33.8 percent strikeout rate. The left-handed-hitting Gorman could get another opportunity for regular at-bats versus right-handed pitching in 2026, though his playing time outlook would diminish if the Cardinals are unable to trade Nolan Arenado. |
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Matthew Liberatore Matthew Liberatore Settles with Cardinals
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 2:13 PM
The Cardinals and Liberatore avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.26 million contract Thursday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Liberatore was eligible for salary arbitration for the first time as a Super 2 qualifier. The left-hander had a solid first full season in the Cardinals' rotation, finishing with a 4.21 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 122:40 K:BB in 151.2 innings over 29 starts. Liberatore will be counted on as a member of the St. Louis rotation again in 2026. |
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Alec Burleson Alec Burleson Reaches deal with St. Louis
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 2:07 PM
The Cardinals and Burleson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.3 million contract Thursday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Burleson receives a well-earned raise in what was his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 27-year-old has made a steady progression offensively for the Cardinals, finishing the 2025 campaign with a .290/.343/.459 batting line and 18 home runs. Burleson is slated to take over as the everyday first baseman in 2026 after spending most of his first four seasons playing the outfield. |
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Brendan Donovan Brendan Donovan Avoids arbitration with Cardinals
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 1:41 PM
The Cardinals and Donovan avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.8 million contract Thursday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Donovan finished the 2025 season with a .287/.353/.422 batting line, 10 home runs and 32 doubles over 118 contests. He's a strong candidate to be traded before Opening Day, but if that doesn't happen, Donovan will open 2026 as the Cardinals' primary second baseman. He underwent abdominal surgery in October but is fully recovered. |
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JoJo Romero JoJo Romero Settles with Cardinals
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 1:30 PM
The Cardinals and Romero avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.26 million contract Thursday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: It was the final year of arbitration eligibility for Romero, who is slated to hit the free-agent market next winter. The lefty reliever held a 2.07 ERA and 55:29 K:BB over 61 innings in 2025, picking up eight saves. Romero could be in the mix for saves again if he's still with the Cardinals on Opening Day, but a trade to a contender -- where he'd likely fill in a middle-relief role -- is likelier. |
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Lars Nootbaar Lars Nootbaar Settles with Cards at $5.35 million
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 12:32 PM
The Cardinals and Nootbaar (heels) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.35 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Analysis: Nootbaar played a career-high 135 games but produced a career-low .686 OPS for the Cardinals this past season. He underwent surgery on both heels in October and is not a lock to be ready for Opening Day. Once Nootbaar is ready, he's expected to be the team's primary left fielder. |
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Andre Pallante Andre Pallante Settles with Cardinals
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 11:41 AM
The Cardinals and Pallante avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Analysis: Pallante is coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign, having collected a 5.31 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 111:62 K:BB over 162.2 innings covering 31 starts. He will nevertheless receive a substantial raise in his second year of arbitration eligibility. Pallante will have to compete for a spot in the Cardinals' rotation in 2026. |
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Zak Kent Zak Kent Jettisoned from 40-man roster
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 2:09 PM
The Cardinals designated Kent for assignment Tuesday.
Analysis: The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Justin Bruihl, who was acquired via trade. Kent was a waiver claim of the Cardinals in December and will now go through the waivers process again. The righty reliever posted a 4.58 ERA and 16:8 K:BB over 17.2 innings for the Guardians in 2025. |
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Justin Bruihl Justin Bruihl Dealt to St. Louis
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 2:06 PM
The Cardinals acquired Bruihl from the Guardians on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations.
Analysis: Bruihl has bounced around from the Blue Jays to the Guardians and now to the Cardinals since mid-December. The left-handed reliever holds a career 4.72 ERA and 69:32 K:BB over 89.2 frames covering parts of five major-league seasons. Bruihl does not have minor-league options remaining, so he's a good bet to make the Opening Day roster if he's still with St. Louis in spring training. |
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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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