| News |
|---|
|
Lars Nootbaar Lars Nootbaar Beginning stages of running program
Wed, Feb 18, 2026, 1:14 PM
Nootbaar (heels) has been able to hit and throw without issue but is just now getting into the stage of being able to run unaided, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Recovering from surgery in early October to address deformities on both of his heels, Nootbaar's arrival in Cardinals camp was delayed until Wednesday as the team awaited the delivery of an altered gravity treadmill. The outfielder said Wednesday that he does not have a timeline for a return, but the consensus is that he will begin the season on the injured list. Once healthy, Nootbaar will be the club's everyday left fielder. |
|
Hunter Dobbins Hunter Dobbins Hopes for full clearance Wednesday
Wed, Feb 18, 2026, 8:29 AM
Dobbins (knee) will travel Wednesday to visit a doctor in Wisconsin, where he hopes to be fully cleared for spring-training activities, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Recovering from last July's right ACL surgery, Dobbins has thrown bullpen sessions and live batting practice sessions with the rest of the Cardinals' pitchers, but his fielding and running has been limited. As long as he gains clearance Wednesday, Dobbins should make some Grapefruit League appearances for St. Louis. However, the late start likely takes him out of the Opening Day rotation competition. |
|
Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Works with outfielders Tuesday
Tue, Feb 17, 2026, 9:31 AM
Herrera (elbow) did outfield drills in Cardinals camp Tuesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: The catchers were working on pop time drills and throws to second base, something Herrera is not yet cleared for as he returns from surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow. The plan is for Herrera to return to catcher in 2026 after the elbow issue limited him to designated hitter for the final few months of last season. He did play four games in left field in 2025, and if catching doesn't work out, Herrera could give the outfield a try again or possibly first base. |
|
Riley O'Brien Riley O'Brien Nursing sore calf
Tue, Feb 17, 2026, 9:31 AM
O'Brien is managing calf soreness that is being evaluated Tuesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: It's unclear exactly how O'Brien sustained the injury, but it puts his availability in question for Team South Korea for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. After recording six saves and six holds with a 2.06 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 45:22 K:BB over 48 innings last year, the 31-year-old righty is expected to be in the mix for saves to begin the year for St. Louis. |
|
Bryan Ramos Bryan Ramos DFA'd by St. Louis
Mon, Feb 16, 2026, 1:35 PM
The Cardinals designated Ramos for assignment Monday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Ramos was scooped up by St. Louis via waivers earlier this month and could now be on the move again. The 23-year-old infielder has slashed just .198/.244/.333 in a limited sample at the big-league level and hit .216/.309/.396 with 16 home runs in 2025 at Triple-A Charlotte in the White Sox organization. |
|
Zak Kent Zak Kent Back to St. Louis via waivers
Mon, Feb 16, 2026, 1:31 PM
The Cardinals claimed Kent off waivers from the Rangers on Monday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: The Cardinals lost Kent to the Rangers via waivers last month, but he's now headed back in the other direction. Kent accrued 17.2 innings out of the Guardians' bullpen last season, finishing with a 4.58 ERA and 16:8 K:BB. He will compete for a spot in the St. Louis bullpen but has minor-league options remaining. |
|
Hunter Dobbins Hunter Dobbins Will go through normal PFP Monday
Sun, Feb 15, 2026, 10:18 AM
Dobbins (knee) is slated to go through a normal pitchers' fielding practice Monday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: The right-hander is being eased into full baseball activities following last July's right ACL surgery. He went through limited fielding practice Saturday and will increase his running and defensive work during the upcoming week. Dobbins does not appear to be in any danger of missing Opening Day, but being brought along slowly in spring training likely takes him out of the running for a spot in the Cardinals' initial rotation plans. |
|
Tink Hence Tink Hence Will remain starter for now
Sun, Feb 15, 2026, 9:46 AM
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Saturday that moving Hence to a relief role is not something that has been "truly discussed at the moment," Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said in December that the team had engaged in internal conversations about whether a move to the bullpen would be best for Hence's long-term health. However, the Cardinals have opted to keep the righty stretched out for now. Hence was limited to just eight appearances in 2025 due to a lat strain and shoulder impingement, and he has yet to reach 100 innings in a pro season because of durability issues. He worked on mechanical changes this offseason and also incorporated a new stretching and recovery plan, and the 23-year-old entered spring training healthy. Hence is on the 40-man roster but has yet to advance past Double-A Springfield, and he could return to Springfield to begin the 2026 campaign. |
|
Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera May not stick behind plate
Fri, Feb 13, 2026, 1:19 PM
The Cardinals could explore using Herrera (elbow) in left field or at first base if he's unable to stick at catcher, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Herrera was limited to designated hitter duties for the final few months of last season due to defensive issues and also a lingering elbow injury that he had surgically corrected in November. The Cardinals gave Herrera a list of things to work on over the offseason in order to improve his game preparation and game management, and they're optimistic his throwing will improve after surgery. If a return to catcher ultimately isn't in the cards, Herrera could be tried out in left field -- where he played four games last season -- or at first base. Herrera is being eased into throwing and hitting in camp but is expected to be fully healthy for Opening Day. |
|
Victor Scott II Victor Scott II Reworked swing in offseason
Fri, Feb 13, 2026, 1:08 PM
Scott retooled his swing during the offseason after a motion-capture study, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: The specific changes Scott made aren't clear, but the speedy outfielder is also focused this spring on bunting for base hits. Scott was a Gold Glove finalist in 2025 in his first full major-league season for his fine defensive work in center field, but he slashed only .216/.305/.296 with five home runs. The 25-year-old did steal 34 bases in 38 attempts, and if he is a factor in fantasy leagues in 2026, it will likely be due to the threat he poses on the basepaths. |
|
Yohel Pozo Yohel Pozo Down 33 pounds from last season
Fri, Feb 13, 2026, 10:35 AM
Pozo has lost 33 pounds since the end of last season, he shared on his X account.
Analysis: The slimmed-down Pozo was non-tendered by the Cardinals in November before quickly re-signing on a split contract. He's part of a crowded mix at catcher for St. Louis, with Ivan Herrera (elbow), Pedro Pages and perhaps Jimmy Crooks ahead of him on the depth chart. Pozo -- who slashed .231/.262/.375 with five home runs in 67 games in 2025 -- is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Memphis. |
|
Jordan Walker Jordan Walker Could steal more bases in 2026
Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 4:25 PM
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol believes Walker could steal more bases in 2026, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: The 6-foot-6, 250-pounder is surprisingly fleet of foot, ranking in the 84th percentile in sprint speed last season. Walker stole a career-high 10 bases in 13 attempts in 2025, and Marmol thinks there could be more in the tank for the 23-year-old if the team is able to "coach him up in a way that he feels comfortable taking more risks." Of course, Walker will need to get on base more to have an opportunity to pilfer more bags, and the former top prospect has been trying to implement swing changes he worked on this offseason at Driveline Baseball. Marmol has been encouraged by what he's seen from Walker early on in camp, noting that, "he knows what's at stake, and man, he's working really hard at it." |
|
Zack Thompson Zack Thompson Recovering from shoulder surgery
Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 4:14 PM
Thompson is not yet throwing off a mound after having arthroscopic left shoulder surgery in August, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Thompson missed the entire 2025 season due to shoulder issues, but it was not previously known that he had a cleanup procedure. The left-hander has been playing catch as he eases back into a throwing program. Thompson is no longer on the Cardinals' 40-man roster and should report to Triple-A Memphis once he's healthy enough to do so. |
|
Hunter Dobbins Hunter Dobbins Not doing fielding, running drills
Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 4:09 PM
Dobbins (knee) is being held out of fielding and running drills early on in Cardinals camp, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Dobbins' throwing program is on track, but he is being eased into other baseball activities as he comes back from last July's right ACL surgery. It's unclear when Dobbins might pitch in games or if he'll be ready for Opening Day, which could, in effect, take him out of the rotation competition. Dobbins was acquired via trade from the Red Sox this offseason in the deal that sent Willson Contreras to Boston. |
|
Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Throwing and hitting limited
Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 1:39 PM
Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said Thursday that Herrera (elbow) remains limited with his throwing and hitting, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Herrera underwent surgery in November to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, so he's being eased into things in spring training. The elbow rehab will keep Herrera from participating in the World Baseball Classic for his native Panama due to insurance issues, but it is not expected to affect his Opening Day availability. Herrera is attempting to return to catcher in 2026 after the elbow issue limited him to designated hitter duty for the final few months of the 2025 season. |
|
Lars Nootbaar Lars Nootbaar Running on alt-gravity treadmill
Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 11:34 AM
Nootbaar (heels) has progressed to running on an altered gravity treadmill, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Nootbaar underwent surgery in early October to address deformities on both of his heels and is progressing slowly but surely. He will be a few days late in reporting to camp, as the Cardinals still need to have an altered gravity treadmill delivered to their spring training complex in Florida so Nootbaar can continue rehabbing. It's looking unlikely that Nootbaar will be ready in time for Opening Day, but more clarity on his timetable should be available later in spring training. |
|
George Soriano George Soriano Traded to St. Louis
Tue, Feb 10, 2026, 1:32 PM
The Cardinals acquired Soriano from the Nationals on Tuesday in exchange for Andre Granillo, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Soriano has been bouncing around via waivers this offseason and is now joining his fifth organization of the winter. The right-hander is out of minor-league options, so he's a good bet to open the season in the Cardinals' bullpen. Soriano holds a career 5.95 ERA and 117:55 K:BB across 118 innings at the big-league level. |
|
Packy Naughton Packy Naughton Ready to go at start of spring
Tue, Feb 10, 2026, 10:03 AM
Naughton (elbow) will not have any restrictions at the beginning of spring training, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Naughton missed all of 2025 and most of 2024 due to a pair of elbow surgeries, first to repair a flexor strain and later to fix a torn UCL. He's finally fully healthy and is in camp as a non-roster invitee to compete for a spot in the Cardinals' bullpen. Naughton held a 4.14 ERA and 36:8 K:BB over 37 frames from 2022-2023 with St. Louis. |
|
Bryan Ramos Bryan Ramos Claimed by Cardinals
Fri, Feb 6, 2026, 12:54 PM
The Cardinals claimed Ramos off waivers from Baltimore on Friday, asdFrancys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Analysis: The Orioles acquired Ramos from the White Sox on Sunday via trade, but the 23-year-old infielder was designated for assignment by Baltimore on Wednesday. Ramos will now head to St. Louis after being claimed off waivers. Ramos appeared in just four big-league games in 2025 with the White Sox, instead spending most of his time at Triple-A Charlotte, where he slashed .216/.309/.396 with 16 home runs and 13 stolen bases over 431 plate appearances. He'll likely provide organizational depth for the Cardinals. |
|
Bligh Madris Bligh Madris Goes to St. Louis on MiLB deal
Wed, Feb 4, 2026, 1:10 PM
The Cardinals signed Madris to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Chase Ford of Milb Central reports.
Analysis: Madris slashed .232/.320/.384 with five home runs in 50 games with Triple-A Toledo in the Tigers organization last season. He'll turn 30 later this month and has managed a .204/.273/.286 batting line in parts of three major-league seasons. Madris should be ticketed for Triple-A Memphis to begin the upcoming season. |
Connect With Us:
