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JJ Wetherholt JJ Wetherholt Goes deep in major-league debut
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 11:07 PM
Wetherholt went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 9-7 win over the Rays.
Analysis: The top prospect made an immediate splash in major-league debut, taking Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen deep in the third inning. After making St. Louis' Opening Day roster this spring, Wetherholt appears to be set up in a favorable lineup spot right away after batting leadoff Thursday, which should aid his run-scoring potential going forward. |
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Ryne Stanek Ryne Stanek Hangs on for first save
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 10:10 PM
Stanek picked up the save Thursday against the Rays, allowing no hits and three walks in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out one.
Analysis: The right-hander drew St. Louis' first save opportunity of the year in his team debut, suggesting he's firmly in the mix for ninth-inning work. It's perhaps too early to tell if he'll get the bulk of the save chances in 2026, but Stanek appears to at least be worth a speculative pickup in fantasy leagues as this situation shakes out. JoJo Romero and Riley O'Brien worked the seventh and eighth innings respectively Thursday. |
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Matthew Liberatore Matthew Liberatore Holds Rays in check in season debut
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 9:53 PM
Liberatore didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Rays, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out two.
Analysis: Despite giving up seven hits, the left-hander was able to limit the damage to just one run on his ledger in his season debut. Liberatore topped out at 65 pitches during spring training, which he reached in his third Grapefruit League start, so he'll be looking to raise his pitch count even further his next time out after firing 78 pitches Thursday. Liberatore has a tough matchup at home against the Mets on tap for his second start of the year. |
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Masyn Winn Masyn Winn Hitting cleanup Opening Day
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 9:55 AM
Winn is starting at shortstop and batting cleanup in Thursday's opener versus the Rays.
Analysis: Winn is an atypical cleanup hitter -- this will be just his fourth career start in the slot -- but the rebuilding Cardinals don't have many middle-of-the-order options. It's a boost for Winn's RBI outlook, as he should have chances to drive in runs with JJ Wetherholt, Ivan Herrera and Alec Burleson batting ahead of him. |
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Nathan Church Nathan Church Starting in left field in opener
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 9:52 AM
Church is starting in left field and hitting seventh in Thursday's opener against the Rays.
Analysis: Church is lined up to receive the bulk of the reps in left field versus right-handed pitching for the Cardinals while Lars Nootbaar (heels) is shelved. Nootbaar was placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, so Church should receive an extended look. Thomas Saggese and Jose Fermin are also in the left-field mix for St. Louis. |
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JJ Wetherholt JJ Wetherholt Batting leadoff in MLB debut
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 9:49 AM
Wetherholt will start at second base and bat leadoff in Thursday's opener versus the Rays.
Analysis: The Cardinals will not ease Wetherholt into his major-league debut, putting him atop their batting order. The team's other potential option in the leadoff spot, Masyn Winn, will hit cleanup. Wetherholt earned a spot on St. Louis' Opening Day roster by collecting a .386 on-base percentage with two home runs and two stolen bases during Grapefruit League action. |
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Hunter Dobbins Hunter Dobbins Goes on IL
Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 1:45 PM
The Cardinals placed Dobbins (knee) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis: Dobbins is still working his way back from July surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. Though he's been able to steadily build up his pitch count throughout the spring through live batting practice sessions and simulated games, he's not yet been cleared for full fielding and agility drills. Once he clears that hurdle in the recovery process, Dobbins may not require an extensive rehab assignment, but the Cardinals aren't guaranteed to have a spot in the rotation available for him upon his return from the IL. |
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Lars Nootbaar Lars Nootbaar Goes to 60-day IL
Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 1:38 PM
The Cardinals placed Nootbaar (heels) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis: Nootbaar began a running progression last week and took live batting practice Tuesday, but the Cardinals are planning to proceed cautiously with the outfielder, who underwent surgery in October to address Haglund's deformities on both of his heels. A firmer target date for Nootbaar's season debut should become available in the weeks to come once he ramps up the intensity and frequency of his on-field work, but he won't be eligible to debut until late May after landing on the 60-day IL. The transaction will free up a spot on the 40-man roster for top prospect JJ Wetherholt, who will be part of the Cardinals' Opening Day squad. |
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Jose Fermin Jose Fermin Slated for playing time in LF
Tue, Mar 24, 2026, 9:32 AM
Fermin is among those in the mix for starts in left field while Lars Nootbaar (heels) is sidelined, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Fermin is an infielder by trade but has played a bit in the outfield in the majors and at the Triple-A level. The 26-year-old will vie for playing time in left field with Nathan Church and Thomas Saggese. Church is the lone left-handed hitter of the three and also the only traditional outfielder, so he likely enters the season at the top of the pecking order. However, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol has said he does not plan to employ a strict platoon at the position. |
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Thomas Saggese Thomas Saggese In mix for starts in left field
Tue, Mar 24, 2026, 9:27 AM
Saggese is in the mix to start games in left field for the Cardinals while Lars Nootbaar (heels) is shelved, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: An infielder by trade, Saggese learned the outfield on the fly this spring and missed out on some development time while on Team Italy's roster for the World Baseball Classic. However, he showed enough aptitude defensively in the outfield -- and also posted a .907 OPS this spring -- to convince the Cardinals to carry him on the Opening Day roster. Nathan Church and Jose Fermin will also see action in left field, and Fermin and Saggese are options to play several other positions, as well. Nootbaar is being evaluated for potential placement on the 60-day injured list, so the trio of competitors could have ample time to make a good impression. |
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Lars Nootbaar Lars Nootbaar Being evaluated for 60-day IL move
Tue, Mar 24, 2026, 9:19 AM
Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said Monday that Nootbaar (heels) will be evaluated this week for potential placement on the 60-day injured list, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Bloom noted that the team's current wish is to avoid the 60-day IL with Nootbaar, as the transaction would leave him ineligible to make his season debut until late May. However, that decision will be made after the Cardinals get a better sense of how far Nootbaar is along in his rehab from offseason surgery on both heels. Per Brian Walton of TheCardinalNation.com, Nootbaar is slated to take batting practice with minor leaguers at the team's spring training complex Tuesday. St. Louis will use a combination of Nathan Church, Thomas Saggese and Jose Fermin in left field until Nootbaar is ready. |
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Nathan Church Nathan Church Will get reps in left field
Mon, Mar 23, 2026, 4:46 PM
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Church will get some run in left field while Lars Nootbaar (heels) is sidelined, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Jose Fermin and Thomas Saggese are the others in the mix for left-field reps. Church is the only one of the three that bats left-handed and that's a natural outfielder, which could give him a leg up for playing time early on. However, Marmol noted Monday that he does not plan to employ a strict platoon. Church is known more for his glove than his bat, but he have a breakout year offensively with Triple-A Memphis in 2025, slashing .329/.386/.524 with 13 home runs and 16 stolen bases. |
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Nelson Velazquez Nelson Velazquez Reassigned to Triple-A
Mon, Mar 23, 2026, 3:50 PM
The Cardinals reassigned Velazquez to Triple-A Memphis on Monday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: A non-roster invitee this spring, Velazquez put himself in position for a major-league roster spot by hitting .357/.449/.667 with four home runs and a 7:4 BB:K during Grapefruit League play. However, the Cardinals ultimately decided to send the 27-year-old to Memphis to start the season. Velazquez could still get a look with the big club if he gets off to a hot start in the minors, though that could depend on how quickly Lars Nootbaar (heels) makes it back. |
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Kyle Leahy Kyle Leahy Makes Opening Day rotation
Mon, Mar 23, 2026, 9:30 AM
Leahy will open the season in the Cardinals' rotation, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Leahy's regular-season debut will occur March 30 with a start at home against the Mets. The right-hander has not been used as a starting pitcher regularly since 2022, but he often worked multiple innings out of the Cardinals' bullpen last season and was stretched out as a starter this spring, finishing with a 4.58 ERA and 20:5 K:BB over 17.2 frames. Leahy has not reached 90 innings in any of the last three seasons while being used in the bullpen, so he's sure to face some form of workload restrictions in 2026. |
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Jordan Walker Jordan Walker Homers in final spring game
Sun, Mar 22, 2026, 2:38 PM
Walker went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit league finale against the Astros.
Analysis: Walker's first and only home run this spring went 413 feet and was measured at 111.3 mph off the bat. He also contributed a single that exited his bat at 106.5 mph. While he finished spring training on a high note, it's been a disappointing camp for Walker on the whole, as he hit only .205 with a 3:16 BB:K over 47 plate appearances. The 23-year-old will open 2026 as the Cardinals' everyday right fielder and should be offered some leash during the club's rebuilding season. |
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Michael McGreevy Michael McGreevy Depressed velocity this spring
Sun, Mar 22, 2026, 2:31 PM
McGreevy yielded one run on three hits and no walks over five innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League start versus the Astros. He recorded five strikeouts.
Analysis: He served up a solo home run to Taylor Trammell, but that was the lone run the Astros were able to push across against the righty. McGreevy finished spring training with a 2.45 ERA and 16:2 K:BB over 18.1 innings, but his velocity has been down across the board. He averaged 90.8 mph with his four-seamer Sunday, down significantly from the 93 mph he averaged with the pitch in 2025. It's possible McGreevy will start throwing harder once the bright lights are on, but the lack of velocity is concerning for a hurler who's already had difficulty missing bats. McGreevy will make his season debut Saturday at home against the Rays. |
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Gordon Graceffo Gordon Graceffo Optioned to Memphis
Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 2:43 PM
The Cardinals optioned Graceffo to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Graceffo didn't allow an earned run through three innings in the Grapefruit League. However, he posted a 6.28 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over 43 innings with the Cardinals last season, so they'll wait to see more from him in the minors before admitting him back into their big-league bullpen. |
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Lars Nootbaar Lars Nootbaar Will open season on IL
Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 9:54 AM
Nootbaar (heel) will start the 2026 regular season on the injured list, William Ladson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: As expected, Nootbaar will miss the opening portion of the regular season while rehabbing from offseason surgery on both heels. There is no clear timeline for when the 28-year-old outfielder will be ready to make his season debut. Nootbaar's absence means Nathan Church should see a bump in starts in the outfield to open the 2026 campaign. |
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Nathan Church Nathan Church Seems likely to make roster
Thu, Mar 19, 2026, 4:15 PM
Church has an .825 OPS through 13 Grapefruit League games and has made a strong case to make St. Louis' Opening Day roster, Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The 25-year-old entered camp with a fairly clear path to a roster spot with Lars Nootbaar (heel) set to begin the season on the injured list, and Church has played well during spring training with a .290 average, one homer and one steal in 37 plate appearances. With the Cardinals committing to a rebuild this offseason, a strong start to the campaign could allow Church to retain a sizable role even once Nootbaar is healthy. |
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Victor Scott II Victor Scott II Yet to get on track
Thu, Mar 19, 2026, 4:07 PM
Scott has a .161/.317/.226 slash line with one double and five stolen bases through 42 plate appearances in Grapefruit League action.
Analysis: The 25-year-old reworked his swing during the offseason and entered spring training looking to bunt for base hits more often, but he has just five total bases through 13 Grapefruit League games. Scott will provide strong defense in center field, but his bat will likely need to come to life at some point in 2026 to retain the starting job. He played in 138 games last year and posted a .216/.305/.296 slash line with five homers and 34 steals. |
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