| News |
|---|
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
Tink Hence Tink Hence Making spring debut Tuesday
Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 12:27 PM
Hence will make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: It will be the first game action since last July for Hence, who had another injury-shortened 2025 campaign in dealing with a lat strain and shoulder impingement. The Cardinals plan to keep Hence in a starting pitcher role for now, but an eventual move to the bullpen can't be ruled out if he's unable to improve his durability. The 23-year-old has yet to reach 100 innings in a pro season. |
|
Riley O'Brien Riley O'Brien Bullpen session Tuesday
Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 12:20 PM
O'Brien (calf) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: It will be the first time O'Brien has thrown from the mound since he went down with a minor right calf strain a week ago. The injury is expected to prevent the reliever from pitching for Team South Korea in the World Baseball Classic, but O'Brien should not have trouble ramping up in time for Opening Day if he can avoid setbacks. |
|
Brycen Mautz Brycen Mautz In mix to fill relief role
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 6:10 PM
Mautz is under consideration for a spot on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster in a relief or hybrid role, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Mautz was added to the 40-man roster this offseason following a breakout year as a starter at Double-A Springfield, where he posted a 2.98 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 134:33 K:BB over 114.2 innings. JoJo Romero is locked into one left-handed bullpen spot for the Cardinals, but he remains a trade candidate, and even if Romero stays put the team likely has at least one other lefty spot up for grabs. Mautz could fill that slot or be used in a hybrid role that would allow him to also make some spot starts. However, the most likely scenario is the southpaw opens the season in the Triple-A Memphis rotation to continue his development as a starting pitcher. |
|
Chris Roycroft Chris Roycroft Works on regaining arm angle
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 11:28 AM
Roycroft worked this offseason at Premier Pitching Performance in the St. Louis area to return his arm angle to what it was in 2024, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Roycroft's arm angle dropped four degrees in 2025, per Baseball Savant, which the reliever believes was the main cause of his struggles (7.84 ERA in 20 appearances). The 6-foot-8 righty's arm angle was higher during a scoreless appearance Sunday versus the Astros in Grapefruit League play. Roycroft is competing for a middle relief role in the St. Louis bullpen. |
|
Nathan Church Nathan Church Homers in spring debut
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 10:01 AM
Church went 1-for-2 with a solo home run Saturday versus the Nationals in his spring training debut.
Analysis: He started the game in center field and took southpaw Shinnosuke Ogasawara deep in the second inning. Church could get significant reps in left field for the Cardinals early on in the season while Lars Nootbaar (heels) is out before eventually settling into a fourth outfielder role. The 25-year-old had a .504 OPS in 27 games with the big club in 2025, but slashed .329/.386/.524 with 13 home runs and 16 stolen bases at Triple-A Memphis. |
|
Nolan Gorman Nolan Gorman Should still win third base job
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 9:37 AM
Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said Saturday after the signing of Ramon Urias that the roster addition wouldn't "get in the way, substantively, for the opportunities for (Gorman)," Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: The 25-year-old infielder is in line to be the team's primary third baseman in 2026, and that won't change even after Urias was brought aboard. Urias does offer a short-side platoon partner for the lefty-swinging Gorman and is also a superior defender, so he'll get reps versus lefties and could handle third base while Gorman is used at designated hitter. Gorman is looking to bounce back from a two-year drought at the plate, having slashed just .204/.284/.385 with a 35.7 percent strikeout rate over that stretch. |
|
Zak Kent Zak Kent Designated for assignment
Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 12:50 PM
The Cardinals designated Kent for assignment Saturday.
Analysis: Kent returned to St. Louis from Texas on Monday via waivers, but he will once again lose his 40-man roster spot -- this time to make room for Ramon Urias. Kent broke into the majors for the first time last season and turned in a 4.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 17.2 innings with the Guardians. |
|
Jose Fermin Jose Fermin Will get look in outfield
Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 9:59 AM
Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said Saturday that the signing of Ramon Urias could lead to more playing time in the outfield for Fermin, Brian Murphy of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Fermin is an infielder by trade, but he's seen a bit of action in the outfield in the majors and at the Triple-A level. The 26-year-old slashed .283/.377/.417 in 70 appearances with the big club and .300/.428/.485 with a 45:25 BB:K at Triple-A Memphis in 2025. Fermin could see more of an opportunity at the big-league level in 2026 as the Cardinals go through a rebuild. |
|
Thomas Saggese Thomas Saggese More time in outfield likely
Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 9:50 AM
Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said Saturday that the signing of Ramon Urias could lead to more playing time in the outfield for Saggese, Brian Murphy of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Saggese has never played the outfield in pro ball, but he's been working out there during spring training and could see starts in the outfield, especially against lefties. The 23-year-old also figures to see some starts at designated hitter, or in the field while others are getting a DH day. Saggese has hit only .250/.292/.336 with a 28 percent strikeout rate in his first 100 games in the majors. |
Connect With Us:
