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Managing elbow strain
Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 10:56 AM
Triple-A Memphis placed Henderson on the 60-day injured list Wednesday due to a left elbow strain, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: The left-hander was reinstated from the 60-day IL on Aug. 9 after missing the first three months of the season due to a flexor strain, but he's down with another arm injury after making just one start for Memphis. Henderson posted a 2.59 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 134:51 K:BB across 132 innings at Double-A Springfield last year, but he's had a lost 2026 season. The severity of his current injury is unclear as he continues to be evaluated. |
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Luis Gastelum Luis Gastelum Settling in after rough start
Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 9:39 AM
Gastelum is unscored upon in his last five appearances, logging a 12:1 K:BB over 6.1 innings during that span.
Analysis: Gastelum was rocked for 15 runs (12 earned) with a 10:5 K:BB over 13.1 innings in his first 12 appearances in the majors. The rookie reliever has adjusted nicely, though, settling in as a valuable middle relief arm in St. Louis. Gastelum could move up the leverage ladder if he keeps up his recent form -- he has zero saves and just one hold so far. which came back on July 22. |
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George Soriano George Soriano Rough patch in August
Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 9:29 AM
Soriano was tagged for four runs on one hit and three walks while recording only two outs, both via strikeout, in Thursday's win over the Reds.
Analysis: In fairness to Soriano, he was pitching for the third time in the series after logging scoreless appearances Monday and Tuesday. The right-hander has been a pleasant surprise for the Cardinals this season but has struggled in August, permitting eight runs with an 11:7 K:BB over eight frames. The 27-year-old ranks third on the team with a career-high 19 holds. |
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Quinn Mathews Quinn Mathews Could step in for Leahy
Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 9:01 AM
Mathews could be used at times in a piggyback role with Kyle Leahy down the stretch, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: The Cardinals plan to curtail Leahy's workload, and Mathews should be the biggest beneficiary. It's unclear what exactly that will look like, but it could be piggyback starts, spot starts or perhaps the implementation of a six-man rotation. Mathews has made two starts for the Cardinals this year, yielding three runs with a 10:6 K:BB over nine innings. The left-hander has logged a 3.27 ERA and 120:61 K:BB over 99 innings covering 21 starts at Triple-A Memphis in 2026. |
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Kyle Leahy Kyle Leahy Workload will get cut back
Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 8:50 AM
Leahy's innings are expected to be "significantly curtailed," possibly as soon as Sunday in Philadelphia, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Leahy is at 122.1 innings this season, which is already a 34.3-inning jump from last year. His career high in innings is 144.2, but that came back in 2022 in the minors, the last year he was used as a full-time starter. The Cardinals currently have no plans to shut Leahy down completely, but he could make some piggyback starts or perhaps shift to the bullpen. The right-hander has shown no signs of tiring in his transition back to the rotation, logging a pristine 1.38 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 52:9 K:BB through 52.1 innings over his last 10 starts, but the Cardinals want to be proactive in managing his workload. Quinn Mathews stands to benefit, as this would allow him to make multiple starts or piggyback appearances down the stretch. |
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Jordan Walker Jordan Walker Keeps mashing Thursday
Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 9:21 PM
Walker went 1-for-4 with a home run, four RBI, a walk and an additional run scored in Thursday's 10-9 win over the Reds.
Analysis: Walker continued to roll Thursday, rapping his seventh extra-base hit in his last six outings. The All-Star outfielder has scored seven runs and racked up 10 RBI during that span as well. Walker remains a five-category fantasy producer, slashing .288/.348/.506 with 26 homers, 94 RBI, 17 stolen bases and 79 runs scored over 535 plate appearances amidst a breakout campaign. |
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Riley O'Brien Riley O'Brien Narrowly escapes with 33rd save
Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 3:34 PM
O'Brien secured the save Thursday against the Reds, allowing no runs on one hit and two walks in one-third of an inning.
Analysis: O'Brien needed just one out to finish it off for the Cardinals but made things very interesting, allowing two inherited runners to come across before getting Matt McLain to line out sharply to right field. The All-Star right-hander gave up his first hit since Aug. 2 in Toronto, so his grip on the Cardinals' closer role remains strong. Through 52 innings, O'Brien sports a 2.94 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 53:22 K:BB with a league-leading 33 saves in 38 attempts. |
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Michael McGreevy Michael McGreevy Collapses in sixth inning
Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 2:59 PM
McGreevy took a no-decision against the Reds on Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out four.
Analysis: The Reds erupted for five runs in the sixth inning, three of which went against McGreevy's ledger. The right-hander has struggled mightily lately, turning in a 5.83 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 24:12 K:BB over his last six starts (29.1 innings) to follow up a streak of four consecutive quality starts prior to that period. McGreevy will take a season 3.54 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 95:36 K:BB across 137.1 innings into his next scheduled outing against the Orioles. |
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Looks ready for promotion to Triple-A
Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 11:16 AM
Doyle has posted a 1.82 ERA and 51:22 K:BB over 39.2 innings covering his last eight starts with Double-A Springfield.
Analysis: Doyle logged nine strikeouts -- including six in a row at one point -- over five innings of one-run ball in his last outing Wednesday. Walks have been an issue throughout the season for Doyle, but the control has been better over his last four starts as evidenced by a 10.0 percent walk rate. Doyle looks ready to be challenged at Triple-A Memphis, though it's unclear if there are plans to promote the first-round draft pick. |
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Masyn Winn Masyn Winn Taking seat Thursday
Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 8:53 AM
Winn is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Cincinnati.
Analysis: Winn has started each of the previous 13 contests, so he will get some rest during Thursday's matinee. JJ Wetherholt will shift over to shortstop, and Bryan Torres will grab a start at second base for the Cardinals. |
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Matthew Liberatore Matthew Liberatore Fans nine in quality start
Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 9:23 PM
Liberatore (5-11) took the loss against the Reds on Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out nine.
Analysis: It was a bit of a hard-luck loss for Liberatore, who delivered a quality start and matched his second-highest strikeout total of the year. August has arguably been the southpaw's best month so far, as he's worked to a 4.03 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB in 22.1 innings (four starts). Liberatore will take a season 5.04 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 125:44 K:BB over 125 innings into his next scheduled outing against Baltimore. |
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Bligh Madris Bligh Madris Back with Cardinals
Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 8:50 PM
Madris signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Wednesday.
Analysis: Madris began the year with the Cardinals but was released in July to pursue an opportunity in Korea. After slashing .175/.278/.381 across 72 plate appearances while overseas, the 30-year-old will now reunite with St. Louis and figures to remain in Triple-A as organizational depth for the remainder of the year. |
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Josh Fleming Josh Fleming Lands with Cards
Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 5:40 PM
Fleming signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Wednesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Fleming has spent time with the Blue Jays and Cubs this season. He gave up six runs over three innings during his lone big-league appearance but owns a 3.16 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 82.2 frames in the minors. He'll report to Triple-A Memphis to begin his tenure with the Cardinals but could get another opportunity to pitch in the majors if he continues to perform well. |
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Blaze Jordan Blaze Jordan Drawing sixth straight start
Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 4:37 PM
Jordan will start at third base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Reds.
Analysis: Jordan will pick up his sixth consecutive start after going 5-for-20 with a home run, a triple, a walk, three RBI and two runs over the prior five contests. The Cardinals had previously been using Jordan primarily against lefties, but the rookie has now cracked the lineup in three straight matchups versus righties. Manager Oliver Marmol appears to be giving Jordan another look as an everyday player at the hot corner, with Jose Fermin moving back into more of a utility role as a result. |
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Jose Fermin Jose Fermin Losing out on playing time
Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 4:30 PM
Fermin is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.
Analysis: On the bench for the fourth time in six games, Fermin might be moving back into more of a utility role after he had previously been seeing steadier playing time between third base and the outfield. However, with outfield prospect Joshua Baez handling an everyday role since getting the call to the big leagues last weekend and with rookie Blaze Jordan beginning to regain traction at the hot corner, Fermin's primary avenues to playing time have been closed off. |
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Joshua Baez Joshua Baez Receiving first day off since call-up
Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 2:12 PM
Baez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.
Analysis: Baez made waves in his MLB debut Saturday against the Cubs with home runs in his first three trips to the plate, but since then, he's gone 0-for-18 with an 0:7 BB:K, a hit-by-pitch and a sacrifice fly. The Cardinals will give the young outfielder a mental break by sending him to the bench for the first time since he was recalled from Triple-A Memphis. Bryan Torres will spell Baez in left field and bat seventh. |
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Pitching for Triple-A club Wednesday
Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 1:08 PM
Cijntje (hamstring) is listed as Triple-A Memphis' starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against Jacksonville.
Analysis: Cijntje battled a right hamstring injury during his previous start Thursday, but it doesn't look like it will keep him from making his next turn through the Triple-A rotation. Since being promoted from Double-A Springfield to Memphis on July 15, Cijntje has submitted a 6.29 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 32:17 K:BB in 24.1 innings over five starts. |
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Moved up to High-A
Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 12:03 PM
Padilla was promoted from Single-A Palm Beach to High-A Peoria on Tuesday.
Analysis: Padilla didn't make his season debut until mid-June after missing time with a shoulder injury. He's healthy now and earned a promotion to the Midwest League after slashing .273/.350/.473 with three home runs, 10 stolen bases, a 10.5 percent walk rate and an 18.5 percent strikeout rate with Palm Beach. The 19-year-old Padilla oozes physical ability and is starting to produce better exit velocities, though his home-run potential will be capped unless he's able to lower a groundball rate that's currently over 60 percent. |
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Destroying Double-A pitching
Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 11:09 AM
Rodriguez had his first career four-hit game at Double-A Springfield on Tuesday and is slashing .361/.429/.660 with 13 home runs and 18 doubles over his last 47 games.
Analysis: Rodriguez collected just a .527 OPS in his first 21 games after being promoted to Springfield, but the top prospect has adjusted and is now surging. The 19-year-old has put up a 1.239 OPS in August and is currently riding a streak of 39 plate appearances without a strikeout. Rodriguez has seen the majority of his starts this season at catcher (55), but he's also been used at first base (21) and designated hitter (20). |
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Masyn Winn Masyn Winn Huge day in win over Cincy
Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 9:22 AM
Winn went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a solo home run and a second run scored in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Reds.
Analysis: It's the 24-year-old shortstop's first career game with three extra-base hits, and the eight total bases tied his career high. Winn's long ball also snapped a 41-game power drought, but his bat's been showing faint signs of coming around since the All-Star break -- over his last 24 contests, he's produced a .267/.333/.384 slash line with seven doubles, two steals, nine runs and nine RBI. |
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