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Nick Raquet Nick Raquet Cut from major-league camp
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 4:06 PM
The Cardinals optioned Raquet to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.
Analysis: Raquet made three appearances during Grapefruit League play, yielding one run with a 5:1 K:BB across three innings. The Cardinals don't have a ton of left-handed relief depth, so the lefty-throwing Raquet is a good bet to see some action at the big-league level this season. |
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Brycen Mautz Brycen Mautz Dropped from big-league camp
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 4:01 PM
The Cardinals optioned Mautz to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.
Analysis: The Cardinals previously hadn't dismissed the possibility of Mautz making the team as a reliever, but he will begin the season in the rotation at Triple-A Memphis. Mautz posted a 2.98 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 134:33 K:BB over 114.2 innings at Double-A Springfield in 2025. |
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Joshua Baez Joshua Baez Optioned to Triple-A
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 3:46 PM
The Cardinals optioned Baez to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.
Analysis: Shortly after homering in his third straight Grapefruit League game, Baez is cut from big-league camp. The 22-year-old had a breakout 2025 season, hitting .287/.384/.500 with 20 homers and 54 stolen bases between High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield. If Baez is able to carry over that success into a hot start in 2026, he could push for a major-league debut sooner rather than later. |
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Joshua Baez Joshua Baez Homers in third straight game
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 2:31 PM
Baez popped a two-run home run in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.
Analysis: Baez's seventh-inning blast off of Nestor German traveled 416 feet and was measured at 109.4 mph off the bat. It's the third long ball in as many games for Baez, who was added to the Cardinals' 40-man roster this offseason after a breakout 2025 campaign that saw him slash .287/.384/.500 with 20 homers and 54 stolen bases between High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield. Baez drew his first start in left field this spring Monday, and there is playing time available at that position with Lars Nootbaar (heels) expected to begin the season on the injured list. It's unlikely St. Louis would consider the 22-year-old for its Opening Day roster, but Baez could debut at some point this summer if he continues his upward trajectory. |
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Matthew Liberatore Matthew Liberatore Dazzles in Grapefruit League outing
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 2:20 PM
Liberatore permitted two runs while striking out seven across five frames in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.
Analysis: In addition to his seven punchouts, Liberatore did not issue a walk and picked up 16 swinging strikes on 65 pitches. It's the most whiffs for any pitcher in a single appearance so far this spring and is just one off Liberatore's regular-season high of 17. The left-hander has had an impressive showing this spring with a 2.70 ERA and 14:1 K:BB over 10 innings. Liberatore is expected to draw the Opening Day start for the Cardinals, though that has not yet been made official. |
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Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Aims to return Tuesday or Wednesday
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 10:27 AM
Herrera (knee) will go through a series of workouts Monday, with an eye on returning to Grapefruit League play Tuesday or Wednesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Herrera was scratched from the Cardinals' lineup Saturday against the Mets due to knee inflammation. He did some early-morning workouts Monday to test the knee and will continue with more activities to gauge his readiness to return to action. Herrera is projected to begin the season as St. Louis' primary designated hitter. He's also expected to be worked in at catcher, though it's possible the knee issue affects how often he's used behind the plate. |
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Nelson Velazquez Nelson Velazquez In mix for reps in left field
Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 12:57 PM
Velazquez is among the competitors for playing time in left field for the Cardinals while Lars Nootbaar (heels) is sidelined, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Nootbaar is expected to get a late start to the season as he continues his recovery from surgery on both heels. In camp as a non-roster invitee, Velazquez entered play Sunday having gone 5-for-17 with one home run, one double and a 2:1 BB:K over his first six Grapefruit League contests. The Cardinals' lineup leans lefty-heavy, which helps the right-handed-hitting Velazquez's case, but working against him is that he's the only one in the mix that's not already on the 40-man roster. Nathan Church, Jose Fermin and Thomas Saggese are also competing for reps in left field. |
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Kyle Leahy Kyle Leahy Spotless in third Grapefruit start
Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 12:45 PM
Leahy struck out five across four perfect innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League start against the Mets.
Analysis: Leahy bounced back from a rough second spring training outing with a stellar effort Saturday, requiring only 47 pitches to cruise through his four frames. The right-hander remains a favorite to capture one of the final spots in the Cardinals' rotation, and that the club is considering opening the year with a six-man setup would only increase his chances. |
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Riley O'Brien Riley O'Brien Scoreless frame in spring debut
Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 12:28 PM
O'Brien (calf) worked around a walk and a base hit to deliver a scoreless inning of relief Saturday in the Cardinals' 3-2 loss to the Mets in Grapefruit League play.
Analysis: A mild right calf strain suffered early in camp was enough to prevent O'Brien from pitching for Team South Korea in the World Baseball Classic, but after delivering a scoreless inning in his spring debut Saturday, the 31-year-old righty looks like he'll be ready to go for the start of the regular season. After the Cardinals dealt away Ryan Helsley last July, O'Brien moved into a higher-leverage role and collected four of the team's final five save chances of the 2025 campaign. With St. Louis making no major additions to its bullpen over the winter, O'Brien could head into Opening Day as the Cardinals' top option to close games, though manager Oliver Marmol may prefer to take a committee approach to the ninth inning. |
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Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Nursing knee inflammation
Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 12:23 PM
Herrera was scratched from Saturday's Grapefruit League lineup versus the Mets due to knee inflammation, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Herrera had been slated to start at designated hitter Saturday, though his previous few starts had come at catcher, where he's being reintroduced after offseason elbow surgery. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that Herrera will be given 24-48 hours to rest before his status is reevaluated. |
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Jimmy Crooks Jimmy Crooks Beginning season in Memphis
Sat, Mar 7, 2026, 3:43 PM
The Cardinals optioned Crooks to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: With five catchers on St. Louis' 40-man roster, Crooks had a considerable amount of competition for an Opening Day spot, and despite going 4-for-12 at the plate with a homer, four RBI and two runs scored in the Grapefruit League, he will ultimately fall short. He's had consistent success hitting in the minors, posting a .773 OPS in 435 plate appearances at Triple-A last season, and he could be called up to St. Louis later in the year if the trend continues. |
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Leonardo Bernal Leonardo Bernal Sent down to Triple-A
Sat, Mar 7, 2026, 3:37 PM
The Cardinals optioned Bernal to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Bernal spent all of 2025 at Double-A Springfield, where he slashed .247/.332/.394 with 13 homers, 69 RBI, 58 runs scored and 13 steals over 107 games. After going 2-for-5 with two walks in Grapefruit League play, he'll receive a promotion to Triple-A to begin the season. |
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Bryan Torres Bryan Torres Headed to Memphis
Sat, Mar 7, 2026, 3:33 PM
The Cardinals optioned Torres to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Torres enjoyed a breakout campaign at Triple-A last season, slashing .326/.441/.456 across 414 plate appearances with the Redbirds. However, he followed it up with a 2-for-10 performance in the Grapefruit League and will fall short in his pursuit of an Opening Day roster spot. |
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Cesar Prieto Cesar Prieto Moved to minors
Sat, Mar 7, 2026, 3:29 PM
The Cardinals optioned Prieto to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Prieto has struggled at the plate this spring, going just 2-for-17 over six games in the Grapefruit League. With his quest for an Opening Day roster spot now over, the 26-year-old infielder will aim to get back on track in Memphis, where he slashed .301/.363/.457 in 516 plate appearances last season. |
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Tink Hence Tink Hence Optioned to Memphis
Sat, Mar 7, 2026, 3:22 PM
The Cardinals optioned Hence to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Injuries limited Hence to just eight total appearances in the minors last year, during which he posted a 2.95 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 21.1 innings. He surrendered three earned runs in just 1.2 frames in the Grapefruit League, but he'll receive a bump up to Triple-A to begin 2026. The Cardinals have hinted toward shifting the 23-year-old righty into a relief role to combat his health issues, though the plan to develop him as a starter hasn't been completely abandoned. |
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Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Scratched Saturday
Sat, Mar 7, 2026, 11:25 AM
Herrera (undisclosed) was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.
Analysis: It's unknown why Herrera was taken out of the lineup, but the Cardinals should provide some clarity relatively soon. In the meantime, Chase Davis will pick up a few reps as St. Louis' designated hitter. |
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Joshua Baez Joshua Baez Cranks long home run Friday
Fri, Mar 6, 2026, 4:10 PM
Baez swatted a two-run home run and drew a walk in Grapefruit League action Friday versus the Orioles.
Analysis: Baez didn't start the contest, but he entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and took Albert Suarez deep with a 436-foot home run that came off the bat at 110.8 mph. He remained in the game and drew a walk in his other plate appearance. Baez is not going to make the Cardinals' Opening Day roster, but he was added to the 40-man roster this winter after a breakout season and could force his way into the 2026 picture for St. Louis at some point during the summer. |
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Michael McGreevy Michael McGreevy Four strong in latest spring start
Fri, Mar 6, 2026, 4:05 PM
McGreevy fanned four over four innings of one-run ball in Friday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Orioles.
Analysis: McGreevy got his pitch count up to 60 in the outing, surrendering four singles and no walks to go along with his four punchouts. The right-hander has issued just one free pass this spring while fanning eight batters over 8.1 frames. McGreevy is tentatively lined up to start the third game of the season for the Cardinals on March 29 at home against the Rays. |
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Dustin May Dustin May Three scoreless in spring debut
Thu, Mar 5, 2026, 1:30 PM
May yielded one hit and one walk over three scoreless frames in his Grapefruit League debut Thursday versus the Pirates.
Analysis: The Cardinals had May work on the side and on the backfields early on in spring training to ease him into his buildup. May was sporting big velocity Thursday, averaging 97.8 mph with his four-seamer and topping out at 99.3 mph. It's a good sign after his velocity on the pitch dipped to a career-low 95.4 mph in 2025. May has some bounce-back potential after inking a one-year, $12.5 million contract with the Cardinals this winter. |
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Riley O'Brien Riley O'Brien Aiming for spring outing Saturday
Thu, Mar 5, 2026, 11:02 AM
O'Brien (calf) will throw another live batting practice session Thursday and hopes to make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: O'Brien got through a live batting practice session Monday healthy, though he had trouble with his footing due to a wet mound. He'll face hitters in a shorter live BP session Thursday before progressing to game action. O'Brien has been battling a minor calf strain but is expected to have enough time to prep for Opening Day, barring setbacks. He is in the mix to serve as closer for the Cardinals this season. |
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