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Lars Nootbaar Lars Nootbaar No timetable to play in games
Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 12:46 PM
Nootbaar (heels) remains without a timetable for his Grapefruit League debut, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Nootbaar is expected to begin the season on the 10-day injured list as he continues his recovery from offseason surgery on both heels. He's going through baseball activities and will continue to ramp things up as his health allows, but there's no target date for his participation in games. A clearer picture regarding Nootbaar's timetable should be available later this month. |
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Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Likely slotting in at DH initially
Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 12:28 PM
The Cardinals do not expect to know by the end of spring training how often Herrera will be used at catcher this season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Coming back from offseason elbow surgery, Herrera started at catcher for the first time this spring in Sunday's Grapefruit League game versus the Pirates. The 25-year-old's goal is for catcher to be his primary position again in 2026 after elbow issues and defensive shortcomings limited to designated hitter for the final few months of last season. However, the Cardinals will not make Herrera a full-time catcher right away. Herrera appears poised to see the bulk of his early-season playing time at designated hitter, with Pedro Pages serving as the team's primary catcher. The setup could delay how soon Herrera picks up catcher eligibility in fantasy leagues, as he will initially be utility-only eligible in most formats. |
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Pedro Pages Pedro Pages Viewed as starting catcher
Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 12:19 PM
The Cardinals' "stance internally has consistently been" that Pages is the team's starting catcher, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Ivan Herrera is attempting to return to catcher following offseason elbow surgery and got his first start behind the plate Sunday. However, it seems most of his playing time early on in the season will likely come at designated hitter. That leaves the catcher spot open for the defensively superior Pages, who slashed .230/.272/.363 with 11 home runs over 112 contests in 2025. |
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Riley O'Brien Riley O'Brien On track for spring debut Friday
Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 8:21 AM
O'Brien (calf) is tentatively scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Friday against the Orioles, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: The right-hander has been slowed in Cardinals camp by a mild right calf strain. O'Brien got through a live batting practice session Monday with no issues, and as long as he bounces back well, he'll get into game action Friday. The hard-throwing O'Brien is competing to open the season as St. Louis' closer. |
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Jared Shuster Jared Shuster Removed from big-league camp
Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 3:32 PM
The Cardinals reassigned Shuster to minor-league camp Monday.
Analysis: Shuster had been in contention for the second lefty spot in the Cardinals' Opening Day bullpen, but his removal from the competition leaves Justin Bruihl, Packy Naughton and Nick Raquet as the primary candidates for that role. The 27-year-old southpaw worked primarily out of the bullpen for the White Sox the past two seasons, but it's possible that the Cardinals opt to have Shuster get stretched for a starting role or deploy him as a swingman at Triple-A Memphis in 2026. |
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Zack Thompson Zack Thompson Removed from big-league camp
Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 3:04 PM
The Cardinals reassigned Thompson (shoulder) to minor-league camp Monday.
Analysis: Thompson was attending big-league spring training as a non-roster invitee, but he hadn't appeared in any Grapefruit League games while continuing to work his way back from arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder, which he underwent back in August. The southpaw has initiated a throwing program but hasn't yet gotten back on a mound, so he still has multiple checkpoints to reach in the recovery process before being deemed ready for game action. |
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Tekoah Roby Tekoah Roby Dispatched to minors
Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 2:58 PM
The Cardinals optioned Roby (elbow) to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.
Analysis: Roby is likely to miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season after he underwent Tommy John surgery July 25 of last year. Memphis will likely place Roby on the 60-day or full-season injured list prior to its March 27 opener. |
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Masyn Winn Masyn Winn Held back with arm soreness
Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 10:54 AM
Winn didn't start Monday's spring training game versus the Marlins as initially anticipated due to right arm soreness, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that Winn is "fine" and the soreness is a result of a "heavy" workload on the backfields Sunday. The plan is for Winn to return to action Thursday or Friday, though Marmol said he's willing to adjust plans if Winn wants to play Wednesday in an exhibition versus Team Nicaragua. Winn is 2-for-8 with a 3:2 BB:K and one stolen base in his first four Grapefruit League contests. |
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Kyle Leahy Kyle Leahy Scuffles in second spring outing
Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 8:38 AM
Leahy yielded four runs on four hits and three walks over 2.2 innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League loss to the Pirates.
Analysis: Leahy was immediately in hot water, giving up a leadoff double to start the game which was followed by a Konnor Griffin two-run home run. He needed 54 pitches to cover his 2.2 innings and recorded only one strikeout. The expectation is that Leahy will break camp as a member of the Cardinals' rotation, though he didn't help his case with Sunday's shaky outing. |
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Dustin May Dustin May Velocity up in simulated game
Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 3:51 PM
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that May was sitting 97-to-98 mph and touching 99 mph in a simulated game Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: May had trouble keeping weight on following surgery for an esophagus rupture in 2024, and his fastball velocity dipped to a career-low 94.8 mph in 2025. That prompted him to pack on around 20 pounds over the offseason in hopes of regaining the pep on his heater, and the early returns are promising. The Cardinals have May on a slow build-up this spring after his past injury issues, but he is healthy and should make his Grapefruit League debut before long. |
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Matthew Liberatore Matthew Liberatore Strong start this spring
Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 10:04 AM
Liberatore struck out three over three innings of one-run ball in Thursday's Grapefruit League outing against the Astros.
Analysis: The Astros had a split-squad lineup that didn't feature any regulars, so Liberatore's results should be taken with a grain of salt. He pitched well, though, picking up 10 swinging strikes on 51 pitches, which included one whiff on his new splitter. Liberatore has yielded just one run with a 7:1 K:BB in his first five innings this spring. The left-hander is lined up to take the ball on Opening Day for the Cardinals on March 26 versus the Rays. |
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Thomas Saggese Thomas Saggese Draws start in LF, CF next
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 11:48 AM
Saggese is drawing his first-ever start in left field in Thursday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Astros, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Saggese has never played the outfield as a professional but is getting a crash course there during spring training. He's expected to soon receive a start in center field, as well, before departing Cardinals camp in order to play for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. St. Louis has been on the hunt for a right-handed-hitting outfielder, but they signed righty infielder Ramon Urias instead, in part because they like how Saggese and Jose Fermin have looked in the outfield this spring. With Lars Nootbaar (heels) likely headed for a stint on the injured list to begin the season, Saggese could see some playing time in left field early on. |
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Nolan Gorman Nolan Gorman Swats first spring training homer
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 11:41 AM
Gorman cranked a three-run home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League tilt versus the Mets.
Analysis: Gorman took Jonah Tong deep to the opposite field in the third inning in what was his only hit in three trips to the dish. The 25-year-old got the start at third base in the contest, and that's the position he's expected to man on Opening Day for a rebuilding Cardinals club. |
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Richard Fitts Richard Fitts Big velocity in spring debut
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 10:32 AM
Fitts tossed two scoreless frames Wednesday against the Mets in his Grapefruit League debut.
Analysis: Fitts surrendered a pair of singles, didn't walk anyone and notched one strikeout. Notably, the righty averaged 97.6 mph with his four-seamer and topped out at 98.6 mph. It's a big velocity jump after he averaged 95.9 mph with the heater in 2025, and it also reinforces that Fitts is healthy after he missed the final five weeks of the regular season with right arm neuritis. Fitts is competing for a spot in the Cardinals' rotation and certainly made a positive first impression. |
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Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Will start at catcher Sunday
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 9:44 AM
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Herrera (elbow) will make his first Grapefruit League start at catcher Sunday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Herrera is making his spring training debut Thursday at designated hitter, and he will be behind the plate this weekend. The 25-year-old was limited to designated hitter for the final few months of last season due to bone spurs that he had surgically removed from his elbow in November. Herrera is attempting to return to catcher this season, though it's unlikely he will be used on a full-time basis at the position. |
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Tink Hence Tink Hence Likely shifting to relief role
Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 10:56 AM
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Wednesday that Hence will remain on a reliever's schedule for the remainder of spring training, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: The club has not officially closed the door on Hence being a starting pitcher, but signs are pointing to a permanent move to the bullpen for the 23-year-old. A former top-50 prospect, Hence has simply been unable to stay healthy as a starter, as he has yet to reach 100 innings in a season in his five years in pro ball. The righty was limited to just eight appearances in 2025 due to a lat strain and shoulder impingement. Hence struck out one batter in a scoreless inning Tuesday out of the bullpen in his first appearance this spring. |
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Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Making spring debut Thursday
Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 10:49 AM
Herrera (elbow) will make his Grapefruit League debut Thursday at designated hitter, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Herrera has been slow-played by the Cardinals this spring after having surgery in November to remove bone spurs from his right elbow. While he is ready to go with the bat, it's uncertain when he will be cleared to catch in games. Herrera is attempting to return to catcher after the elbow issue and defensive concerns limited him to designated hitter for the final few months of last season. |
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Michael McGreevy Michael McGreevy Fans two over two frames
Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 9:28 AM
McGreevy was charged with one run on two hits over two innings in Monday's Grapefruit League start versus the Marlins. He struck out two without issuing a walk.
Analysis: Jakob Marsee led off the game with a home run off McGreevy, though the pitcher noted after the contest that he was mistakenly given scuffed-up batting practice balls to use to the first hitter, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. McGreevy settled in after that, retiring six of the final seven batters he faced (two via strikeout). McGreevy has a spot in the St. Louis rotation locked up after authoring a 4.42 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 58:20 K:BB over 95.2 innings last season. |
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Andre Pallante Andre Pallante Incorporating kick-change
Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 9:16 AM
Pallante was charged with one run while fanning two batters over two innings Tuesday versus the Nationals in his first Grapefruit League outing.
Analysis: Pallante didn't give up a hit, but the Nats plated a run against him in the first inning on a walk, a stolen base, a wild pitch and an error. The righty has been working on a kick-change and threw four of them in the start, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Pallante noted that the kick-change is "nothing like anything I throw" and is "going to be really good" when he has a feel for the pitch. The hope is that it helps Pallante -- who has a career 16.2 percent strikeout rate -- miss more bats. Pallante is competing for a spot in the Cardinals' rotation following a disappointing 2025 campaign that saw him post a 5.31 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 111:62 K:BB over 162.2 innings covering 31 starts. |
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Yohel Pozo Yohel Pozo Gets start at first base
Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 8:36 AM
Pozo drew a start at first base in Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Pozo got one start at first base for the Cardinals last season and has played there a decent amount in the minors. Proving he could be a backup to Alec Burleson at the position would give him a better chance to make the Opening Day roster, as the Cardinals have a crowded depth chart at catcher. |
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