| News |
|---|
|
Matt Svanson Matt Svanson Rediscovering 2025 form
Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 9:49 AM
Svanson has yielded just one hit and has a 6:1 K:BB over eight scoreless innings since being recalled from Triple-A Memphis.
Analysis: Svanson was optioned to Memphis in May after posting an 8.77 ERA and 26:15 K:BB over 25.2 innings. He tossed 5.2 scoreless frames at the Cardinals' top minor-league affiliate and has carried that momentum over in his return to the majors. Svanson has been used mostly in low-leverage situations since being recalled, but with the way he's pitched he could move back up in the bullpen hierarchy. |
|
Nolan Gorman Nolan Gorman Reworking swing away from games
Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 9:41 AM
Gorman has yet to play in any games since being optioned last week, instead reporting to the Cardinals' spring training complex in Florida to rework his swing, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Gorman has slashed just .194/.279/.318 with a 32.3 percent strikeout rate this season, and he was in a 3-for-50 slump at the time of his demotion. The 26-year-old relocated to Florida at the start of the week and on Wednesday began working with hitting director Dalton Hurd and minor-league hitting coordinator Brock Hammit. Gorman's primary goal, according to president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, is to "get his swing to a less steep place." As part of their player development overhaul, the Cardinals opened a revamped training facility this year in Florida, and Bloom believes "this is the most-equipped we've been as a staff and programs and facilities to be able to do something like this." Once the team feels he's ready, Gorman will eventually be assigned to Triple-A Memphis to test out his progress in games. Blaze Jordan has taken over as the Cardinals' everyday third baseman since Gorman's demotion and has played well, slashing .300/.323/.533 with one home run and seven RBI in eight games. |
|
Blaze Jordan Blaze Jordan Plates two runs Friday
Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 8:10 AM
Jordan went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Friday's loss to the Royals.
Analysis: Jordan came through in the top of the ninth inning with a two-run single that scored Masyn Winn and Nelson Velazquez, but St. Louis came up short of completing the comeback. Jordan made his big-league debut June 12 against the Twins and has provided an offensive boost to the Cardinals' lineup while hitting safely in six of eight games so far. He has a home run, two doubles, a triple, seven RBI and five runs scored in 31 plate appearances so far. |
|
Michael McGreevy Michael McGreevy Goes five frames in no-decision
Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 8:06 AM
McGreevy didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Royals. He gave up five runs on eight hits and a walk across five innings, striking out two.
Analysis: McGreevy tossed 60 of his 95 pitches for strikes, and as has been the trend all season long, he relied on his defense and his ability to induce weak contact to retire hitters. McGreevy has two or fewer strikeouts in four of his last six outings, going 0-4 with a 5.34 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 4.8 K/9, 2.5 BB/9 and 1.7 HR/9 over that stretch. It's becoming difficult to trust him in fantasy, but he's not in danger of losing his rotation spot and should make his next start at home against the Diamondbacks. |
|
Lars Nootbaar Lars Nootbaar Sitting out against left-hander
Thu, Jun 18, 2026, 2:54 PM
Nootbaar is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Kansas City.
Analysis: Since he returned from the injured list earlier this month, the left-handed-hitting Nootbaar has been out of the lineup each of the three times the Cardinals have faced a traditional lefty starter. However, it could be more about picking spots to rest Nootbaar following a long layoff than it is about him being in a platoon. Nelson Velazquez will play left field for St. Louis in the series opener. |
|
Nathan Church Nathan Church Exiting starting nine
Thu, Jun 18, 2026, 2:49 PM
Church is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Kansas City.
Analysis: Church made nine consecutive starts in center field after returning from the injured list, but the left-handed hitter will take a seat for this one as the Royals send southpaw Noah Cameron to the hill. Jose Fermin will patrol center field for the Cardinals. |
|
Contract selected from Memphis
Thu, Jun 18, 2026, 1:41 PM
The Cardinals selected Rajcic's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.
Analysis: A sixth-round pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, Rajcic's career had stalled out as a starting pitcher. However, he has blossomed this season after moving to the bullpen, posting a 2.88 ERA and 46:14 K:BB over 40.2 innings with Memphis. Rajcic will be making his major-league debut when/if he enters a game, and he'll likely fill a multi-inning middle relief role. |
|
Chris Roycroft Chris Roycroft DFA'd by St. Louis
Thu, Jun 18, 2026, 1:37 PM
The Cardinals designated Roycroft for assignment Thursday.
Analysis: The transaction clears space on the 40-man roster for the addition of Max Rajcic. Roycroft has flashed promise in spurts for the Cardinals but holds an unsightly 6.41 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 52:37 K:BB over 60.1 innings covering parts of three big-league seasons. |
|
Poised for call-up
Thu, Jun 18, 2026, 12:54 PM
The Cardinals will call up Rajcic from Triple-A Memphis prior to Thursday's game in Kansas City, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: St. Louis cleared a 26-man roster spot by previously sending Chris Roycroft down, though it will need to free a spot on the 40-man roster for Rajcic. The righty transitioned to a full-time relief role this season at Memphis and has thrived, logging a 2.88 ERA and 46:14 K:BB over 40.2 innings. Rajcic will be making his major-league debut when/if he gets into a game. |
|
Chris Roycroft Chris Roycroft Optioned back to Memphis
Thu, Jun 18, 2026, 8:08 AM
The Cardinals optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.
Analysis: Roycroft made two appearances during his most recent stint in the majors, getting tagged for four runs over 1.2 innings. He's posted a 15.19 ERA in seven outings in the majors this season. The Cardinals will announce a corresponding roster move prior to Thursday's game versus the Royals. |
|
Kyle Leahy Kyle Leahy Posts quality start in loss
Wed, Jun 17, 2026, 5:47 PM
Leahy (5-4) took the loss against the Padres on Wednesday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over six innings.
Analysis: Leahy allowed a run in three separate innings but pitched well overall, throwing 57 of 81 pitches for strikes while generating an impressive 11 whiffs. It also matched a season-high workload for the 29-year-old, who tossed six frames in his only other quality start May 16. He owns a 4.63 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 59:26 K:BB across 70 innings this season and lines up for a home matchup against the Diamondbacks next week. |
|
Joshua Baez Joshua Baez Four-homer game at Triple-A
Wed, Jun 17, 2026, 9:14 AM
Baez went 4-for-5 with four home runs and seven RBI in Triple-A Memphis' win over Nashville on Tuesday.
Analysis: Baez went deep in each of his first three trips to the plate before he grounded out back to the pitcher in the seventh inning. He then got another chance in the eighth inning and smashed a solo blast. Baez has an incredible 12 long balls over his last 18 games, pushing his total on the season to a career-high 23. He's also stolen 12 bases in 13 attempts and boasts a .976 OPS. Baez's best path to playing time with the Cardinals is in center field, and most of his starts have come at that position (35). However, Baez has played right field in each of his last three contests. |
|
Andre Pallante Andre Pallante Earns win, fans six
Wed, Jun 17, 2026, 8:44 AM
Pallante (8-4) earned the win Tuesday against the Padres after allowing two runs on four hits across seven innings. He struck out six without issuing a walk.
Analysis: The six punchouts were Pallante's best output in that category since he fanned seven across 6.2 innings against the Royals on May 17. He has continued to provide length and strong performances when his name has been called of late. He's given up two earned runs or fewer in five of his last six starts, a stretch in which he's posted a 2.88 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 7.6 K/9 across 34.1 innings. He's lined up to make his next start Monday at home against the Diamondbacks. |
|
Riley O'Brien Riley O'Brien Records 18th save
Wed, Jun 17, 2026, 7:55 AM
O'Brien earned the save Tuesday against the Padres after tossing a scoreless ninth inning while allowing a walk.
Analysis: O'Brien has converted his last five save opportunities and has gone 18-for-22 so far in 2026. One of the most reliable ninth-inning relievers in the National League this season, O'Brien owns a 3.73 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 31 appearances (31.1 innings) in 2026. |
|
Sem Robberse Sem Robberse Cleared for rehab games
Tue, Jun 16, 2026, 11:10 AM
Robberse (elbow) has been sent to the Cardinals' Florida Complex League affiliate to begin a rehab assignment.
Analysis: Robberse has been cleared to pitch in games as he continues to work his way back from May 2025 Tommy John surgery. The right-hander was removed from the Cardinals' 40-man roster over the offseason before being re-signed to a minor-league contract. Robberse should eventually join the Memphis rotation once he's deemed ready. |
|
Ready for rehab assignment
Tue, Jun 16, 2026, 11:08 AM
Padilla (shoulder) has been sent to the Cardinals' Florida Complex League affiliate to begin a rehab assignment.
Analysis: Padilla has been sidelined all season with a strained shoulder but has finally been cleared to test things out in a game atmosphere. The shortstop will likely play a few games with the FCL Cardinals before eventually being assigned to Single-A Palm Beach for his introduction to full-season ball. Padilla will turn just 19 later this month and hit .283/.396/.367 with 24 stolen bases last season in the FCL. |
|
Making full-season debut
Tue, Jun 16, 2026, 9:23 AM
Dos Santos is starting at shortstop and batting leadoff in his debut at Single-A Palm Beach on Tuesday.
Analysis: An 18-year-old out of Venezuela, Dos Santos is a helium prospect for the Cardinals after dominating the Dominican Summer League in 2025 (.313/.452/.570) and the Florida Complex League in 2026 (.264/.429/.586 with six homers and 10 steals). Dos Santos will face his stiffest test at Palm Beach as he breaks into full-season ball. The switch hitter has seen action at shortstop, second base and third base this season and will likely continue to bounce around the infield at Palm Beach. |
|
Power burst in High-A
Tue, Jun 16, 2026, 8:47 AM
Baez homered in three straight games for High-A Peoria last week and has gone deep 10 times across his last 22 contests.
Analysis: Baez got off to a slow start this season with a .672 OPS and three home runs in April. He's perked up since then, posting a .790 OPS with seven long balls in May and a 1.083 OPS with four homers in his first 10 games in June. With 14 home runs on the season, Baez has already tied a career high that he set last season. It's been an encouraging stretch for the 21-year-old Baez, who was acquired from the Mets in last year's Ryan Helsley trade. |
|
Ryan Fernandez Ryan Fernandez Eyeing rehab assignment this week
Mon, Jun 15, 2026, 3:43 PM
Fernandez (back) is on track to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Fernandez has thrown one successful bullpen session since going down with lower-back pain in early June, and he will throw off the mound again Wednesday. As long as that goes well, Fernandez would be cleared for a rehab assignment. Because his absence has been brief, Fernandez shouldn't require many rehab appearances before being reinstated. |
|
Alec Burleson Alec Burleson Pops solo shot Sunday
Sun, Jun 14, 2026, 5:15 PM
Burleson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Twins.
Analysis: Burleson got the Cardinals on the board when he homered off Taj Bradley in the fourth inning. With a homer in five of his last six contests and an active 14-game hitting streak, Burleson is locked in. During the streak, he has gone 19-for-58 (.328) with 10 extra-base hits and 16 RBI. For the season, the slugger is up to 13 homers, 51 RBI, 39 runs scored, 17 doubles and two stolen bases while batting .287 with an .848 OPS through 68 games. |
Connect With Us:
