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Jordan Walker Jordan Walker Pleased with work at Driveline
Fri, Nov 28, 2025, 9:45 AM
Walker said earlier this week that he "found something" with his swing while working at Driveline Baseball in October that was "real exciting," Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Walker's assessment at Driveline determined that his back hip was collapsing on his swing, which caused him to drift forward and sap him of his power. He was put through drills with resistance bands and swing training that help him keep his hip back, and Walker said he feels like "I can crush anything they throw at me." In addition to his work at Driveline, Walker has also been given meal-prep and nutrition plans and gone through a strength and agility training plan given to him at Cressey Sports Performance, which focuses on flexibility. After slashing just .211/.270/.324 over the last two seasons and spending time in the minors both years to work on his swing, Walker knows he needs to show real progress in 2026, and it seems he's putting in the work to help him reach that goal. The rebuilding Cardinals plan to give the 23-year-old regular playing time in right field in 2026. |
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Kyle Leahy Kyle Leahy Expected to capture rotation spot
Tue, Nov 25, 2025, 11:22 AM
Leahy is expected to open the 2026 season in the Cardinals' rotation, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: The trade of Sonny Gray to the Red Sox further depleted St. Louis' rotation depth, and, barring a poor showing during spring training, it sounds like Leahy will win one of the five rotation slots. Leahy threw three innings in the Cardinals' final regular season game in 2025 in what was his first-ever start at the major-league level. He did work multiple frames out of the bullpen often this season, but Leahy has not been used as a starter regularly since 2022. If he is indeed in the rotation in 2026, some workload restrictions are likely to be in place, |
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Richard Fitts Richard Fitts Dealt to St. Louis
Tue, Nov 25, 2025, 10:48 AM
The Cardinals acquired Fitts and Brandon Clarke from the Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for Sonny Gray and cash considerations, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Fitts made 14 starts and one relief appearance for the Red Sox the past two years, collecting a 3.97 ERA and 49:23 K:BB over 65.2 innings. The right-hander is under team control through 2031 and stands a good chance to open the season in the Cardinals' rotation. Fitts ended the season on the injured list with right arm neuritis, but he entered the offseason without limitations. |
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Sem Robberse Sem Robberse Returning to St. Louis
Mon, Nov 24, 2025, 7:05 PM
Robberse (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Robberse was non-tendered by St. Louis on Friday, but the club has since elected to bring him back on a minor-league deal. He's currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss the first few months of the 2026 campaign. |
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Scott Blewett Scott Blewett Headed to St. Louis
Mon, Nov 24, 2025, 6:59 PM
Blewett signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Blewett spent the 2025 season with Atlanta, Baltimore and Minnesota, posting a 5.48 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 35 strikeouts over 44.1 innings (two starts). He'll get a fresh start with the Cardinals, where he figures to serve as organizational bullpen depth. |
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Yohel Pozo Yohel Pozo Re-signs with St. Louis
Mon, Nov 24, 2025, 1:28 PM
The Cardinals re-signed Pozo to a major-league contract with an invitation Monday.
Analysis: Pozo was non-tendered by St. Louis last week and is now back in the organization just a few days later. The Cardinals already have Ivan Herrera, Jimmy Crooks and Pedro Pages competing for reps at catcher on the major-league roster, but Pozo will also factor into the mix after coming to terms on a big-league deal. He slashed .231/.262/.375 with five home runs in 67 games for the Cardinals in 2025. |
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Jorge Alcala Jorge Alcala Designated for assignment
Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 6:15 PM
The Cardinals designated Alcala for assignment Tuesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Alcala struggled to find his footing on the mound in 2025, finishing the regular season with a 6.22 ERA and 1.75 WHIP across 55 total innings between Minnesota, Boston and St. Louis. He'll have the right to elect free agency if he clears waivers, although he may have to settle for a minor-league deal if he does so. |
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Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Will not be full-time catcher
Tue, Nov 4, 2025, 10:47 AM
Herrera (elbow) will return to catcher next season but is not expected to do so in a full-time capacity, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Herrera was the Cardinals' everyday designated hitter during the second half, but the plan is for him to return to catcher next season. However, while catcher is slated to be his primary position, it sounds like Herrera will still see lots of playing time in the DH slot. Jimmy Crooks is the favorite to pick up starts at catcher on days Herrera serves as the DH. Herrera underwent surgery last month to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, but he is expected to be ready for the start of spring training. |
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Jimmy Crooks Jimmy Crooks Could share catcher with Herrera
Tue, Nov 4, 2025, 10:41 AM
Crooks could split time at catcher for the Cardinals next season with Ivan Herrera, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Herrera is slated to return to catcher in 2026 after serving as the team's primary designated hitter for the final few months of 2025. He is not expected to be used behind the plate full-time, though, leaving some reps at catcher open. Per Woo, that playing time is likelier to go to Crooks than Pedro Pages, who is a trade candidate. Crooks struggled in a cup of coffee with the Cardinals in 2025, going 6-for-45 with a 0:17 BB:K. However, the 24-year-old has been productive in the minors, having slashed .274/.337/.441 with 14 home runs last season at Triple-A Memphis. |
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Pedro Pages Pedro Pages Could be odd man out at catcher
Tue, Nov 4, 2025, 10:34 AM
Pages could be the odd man out at catcher for the Cardinals next season, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Pages has led the team in starts behind the plate each of the last two seasons. However, the Cardinals plan to use a combination of Ivan Herrera and Jimmy Crooks at catcher next season, leaving Pages without a clear path to playing time. The 27-year-old has minor-league options remaining, but prospect Leonardo Bernal is expected to serve as the primary catcher at Triple-A Memphis in 2026. As a result, Pages could be a trade candidate this offseason. |
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Masyn Winn Masyn Winn Begins jogging after knee surgery
Mon, Nov 3, 2025, 8:55 AM
Winn has begun jogging and said the pain is gone in his surgically repaired right knee, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Winn -- who won his first National League Gold Glove on Sunday -- is just over a month removed from surgery to repair a torn meniscus and said he can already "really feel the difference" in the knee. The 23-year-old is expected to be ready to go for the start of spring training. Winn slashed a disappointing .253/.310/.363 with nine home runs and nine stolen bases across 537 plate appearances in 2025, though the downturn in his production can likely be blamed in part due to having to play through nagging soreness in his knee for several months. |
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Lars Nootbaar Lars Nootbaar Foot pain dates back multiple years
Wed, Oct 29, 2025, 8:46 AM
Nootbaar -- who is recovering from Oct. 7 surgery to address deformities on both of his heels -- has dealt with discomfort in both feet off and on over the past two-and-a-half years, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Nootbaar has had ongoing treatment during the season to address recurring soreness in his heels, but he elected to have surgery earlier this month with the goal of alleviating the condition. It's difficult to gauge how much the foot issues have affected Nootbaar's play, but it's notable that his sprint speed has fallen each year, from the 83rd percentile in 2021 to just the 39th percentile in 2025. The outfielder admits that the discomfort "was holding me back." Nootbaar -- who played a career-high 135 games this season but produced a career-low .686 OPS -- has not been ruled out for Opening Day next season, but because the surgery he had is uncommon, there's uncertainty regarding how long his rehab will take. |
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Lars Nootbaar Lars Nootbaar Has surgery on both heels
Fri, Oct 17, 2025, 3:27 PM
Nootbaar underwent surgery Oct. 7 on both heels to shave down Haglund's deformities, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: It's unclear how long Nootbaar's heels have bothered him, and it's also uncertain how long his rehab is expected to take. Nootbaar finished with career highs in games played (135) and plate appearances (583) this season but posted a disappointing .234/.325/.361 batting line with 13 home runs. |
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Brendan Donovan Brendan Donovan Undergoes sports hernia surgery
Fri, Oct 17, 2025, 3:19 PM
Donovan underwent surgery Oct. 7 to repair a sports hernia, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Donovan had dealt with a nagging groin issue for much of the second half before eventually being shut down. Last week's operation should not affect his availability for the beginning of spring training, barring any setbacks. Donovan made his first All-Star team in 2025, finishing with a .287/.353/.422 batting line, 10 home runs and 32 doubles over 118 contests. |
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Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Undergoes elbow surgery
Fri, Oct 17, 2025, 2:30 PM
Herrera underwent surgery Wednesday to have bone spurs removed from his right elbow, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: It had been reported in September that Herrera would have offseason elbow surgery after his arm had bothered him for a couple years. The procedure is considered minor and is not expected to affect his offseason workouts or readiness for spring training. Herrera slashed .284/.373/.464with 19 home runs over 107 games for the Cardinals this season. He was a full-time designated hitter during the second half, but Herrera will prepare exclusively as a catcher this offseason. |
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Gordon Graceffo Gordon Graceffo Will remain in relief role
Mon, Oct 13, 2025, 9:54 AM
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said in late September that he anticipates Graceffo remaining in a relief role next season, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Graceffo began 2025 in the rotation at Triple-A Memphis, but he was shifted to the bullpen in early May and that's where he remained for the remainder of the season, both during his time in the majors and minors. He finished with a 6.28 ERA, but a 2.93 FIP and 3.71 SIERA suggests Graceffo was unlucky from an ERA perspective. The 25-year-old plans to alter his offseason workouts as he moves to a full-time relief role, and the hope is that it will help his stuff play up. |
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Nolan Arenado Nolan Arenado Will not be released
Tue, Sep 30, 2025, 2:06 PM
Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said Tuesday that releasing Arenado is "not an option," Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: The Cardinals will do their best to trade Arenado this offseason, and Arenado has said he's willing to expand the list of teams to which he would approve a deal. However, if the club is unable to find a trade partner, it will hang on to Arenado as its starting third baseman. Arenado -- who turns 35 in April -- slashed just .237/.289/.377 with 12 home runs over 436 plate appearances in 2025 and is owed roughly $40 million over the next two seasons. |
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Victor Scott II Victor Scott II Logs steal in loss
Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 5:47 PM
Scott went 2-for-3 with a double and a stolen base in Sunday's 2-0 loss to the Cubs.
Analysis: Scott finished the season 10th in the majors in steals after picking up his 34th pilfer of the year Sunday. This was also his first multi-hit effort since July 11 -- the outfielder hit a pathetic .171 after the All-Star break, dropping his season average to .216 across 138 games. Scott added a .601 OPS, five home runs, 37 RBI, 54 runs scored, 15 doubles and one triple in 463 plate appearances in his first full major-league season. |
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Kyle Leahy Kyle Leahy Covers three innings
Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 5:44 PM
Leahy allowed a hit and struck out one without walking a batter over three scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Cubs on Sunday.
Analysis: Leahy started the bullpen game and had the most innings pitched of the five pitchers the Cardinals used in their season finale. This was a fine first career start, and the right-hander ended the season on a seven-inning scoreless streak. Overall, he pitched to a 3.07 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 80:28 K:BB across 88 innings across 62 appearances, adding a 4-2 record, one save, 18 holds and four blown saves as a multi-inning reliever. He could be a contender for the rotation in 2026, but Leahy hasn't regularly worked as a starter since 2022. |
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Alec Burleson Alec Burleson Sitting Sunday
Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 12:18 PM
Burleson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.
Analysis: Burleson's streak of 17 consecutive starts comes to an end in Game 162, as he gets the day off in a meaningless contest for the Cardinals. Yohel Pozo will handle first base. |
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