| News |
|---|
|
Riley O'Brien Riley O'Brien Troubles continue in ninth loss
Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 6:35 PM
O'Brien (3-9) took the loss Wednesday as the Cardinals were downed 6-5 in 10 innings by the Giants, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk in an inning of work. He failed to strike out a batter.
Analysis: With the game tied 4-4, O'Brien got the call in the top of the 10th inning but hung a first-pitch slider to Drew Gilbert, who launched it 415 feet to right-center field for a game-winning homer. It's only the fifth long ball of the season O'Brien has served up, but three of them have come since Aug. 23, a 10-inning stretch that's seen him blow three of seven save chances and get tagged for five losses while stumbling to a 10.80 ERA, 2.30 WHIP and 9:7 K:BB. The right-hander's late-season struggles could prompt St. Louis to look for another closing option to begin the 2027 campaign, despite his career-high 37 saves this season. |
|
Matthew Liberatore Matthew Liberatore Delivers quality start Wednesday
Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 6:29 PM
Liberatore didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Giants, allowing one run on six hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out two.
Analysis: The left-hander tossed 51 of 81 pitches for strikes en route to his seventh quality start of the season, but he exited the mound in line for his 15th loss with the Cardinals down 1-0, before the two bullpens took turns making a mess. It's just the second time in his last eight outings that Liberatore has lasted six innings, a bumpy stretch that's seen him post a 6.42 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB through 40.2 innings. He'll look to wrap up his regular season on a high note, on the road next week in Pittsburgh. |
|
Joshua Baez Joshua Baez Exits game with side tightness
Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 3:59 PM
Baez was removed from Wednesday's game against the Giants after the ninth inning due to left side tightness, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Baez popped out in the bottom of the eighth inning and was lifted from the contest before the game went to extras. The Cardinals are considering the outfielder day-to-day for the time being, but it's unclear whether he will be sent for medical imaging. Baez was hitless in four trips to the plate Wednesday before exiting. |
|
Masyn Winn Masyn Winn Out of St. Louis lineup
Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 9:59 AM
Winn is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.
Analysis: Winn will get the afternoon off after starting each of the previous five contests. It will be Thomas Saggese manning shortstop and batting seventh for the Cardinals in Wednesday's rubber match. |
|
Ivan Herrera Ivan Herrera Getting breather amid mini slump
Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 9:57 AM
Herrera is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Giants.
Analysis: It's the first day off since July 23 for Herrera, who is hitless over his last five games. Leo Bernal will slot in at designated hitter, and Pedro Pages is getting a start at catcher while Herrera gets a day to regroup. |
|
Peter Strzelecki Peter Strzelecki Activated, designated for assignment
Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 9:50 AM
The Cardinals activated Strzelecki (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday and designated him for assignment.
Analysis: Strzelecki is recovered from the right forearm extensor inflammation that sent him to the IL in late August, having recently made three rehab appearances. The righty reliever has logged a 5.79 ERA and 8:6 K:BB over 14 frames in the majors this season. |
|
Ramon Urias Ramon Urias DFA'd by Cardinals
Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 9:47 AM
The Cardinals designated Urias for assignment Wednesday.
Analysis: Urias has been limited to only 43 games this season due to tennis elbow in both arms, and he's slashed just .151/.260/.326 in those contests. The veteran infielder is likely to pass through waivers and reach free agency. |
|
JJ Wetherholt JJ Wetherholt Activated from 10-day IL
Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 9:43 AM
The Cardinals activated Wetherholt (wrist) from the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis: Wetherholt was scheduled to go through a full pregame workout Tuesday, and he came out of it with no concerns, clearing the way for his return. He's starting at second base and batting leadoff Wednesday versus the Giants. The rookie infielder has been sidelined since late August with right wrist tendinitis. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that Wetherholt will play just six innings Wednesday as he eases back into a full-time role, John Denton of Roundtable.io reports. |
|
Walk-off homer in Double-A playoffs
Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 9:32 AM
Baez went 3-for-4 with a two-run, walk-off home run for Double-A Springfield in the first game of the Texas League playoffs Tuesday.
Analysis: Baez plated a run with an RBI single in the fifth inning, but he saved the real heroics for the bottom of the ninth inning, swatting a 433-foot blast to give Springfield the victory over Tulsa. The 21-year-old Baez broke out in 2026 with 39 home runs during the regular season -- the second-highest total in the minors -- and he could be the future for the Cardinals at third base. |
|
Andre Pallante Andre Pallante Roughed up against Giants
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 9:47 PM
Pallante (12-7) took the loss after allowing eight runs (six earned) on eight hits and two walks over five innings against San Francisco on Tuesday. He struck out two.
Analysis: Pallante gave up his most runs since his outing against Milwaukee on July 9 where he also yielded six runs. The 27-year-old came into this start with four straight no-decisions and has yet to pick up a win since Aug. 5. This year, the right-hander owns a 3.70 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 104:47 K:BB over 151 innings. Pallante is slated to make his next start Sept. 22 against the Pirates. |
|
Alec Burleson Alec Burleson Smokes 23rd homer
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 9:46 PM
Burleson went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and two strikeouts during Tuesday's 10-3 loss to the Giants.
Analysis: Burleson clubbed a solo shot in the first inning against Blade Tidwell for his 23rd blast and league-leading 111th RBI of the campaign. Over his last seven games, the 27-year-old is slashing .350/.519/.600 with one homer and seven RBI in 27 plate appearances. Burleson was pinch-hit for in the eighth inning by Nolan Gorman. |
|
Joshua Baez Joshua Baez Absent from St. Louis lineup
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 3:11 PM
Baez is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Giants.
Analysis: Baez has been getting extra days off lately, as this is the third time he's been absent from the lineup over the Cardinals' last seven contests. It's possible the club wants to ensure he retains rookie eligibility in 2027, and in order to do that, Baez must remain under 130 at-bats (he's currently at 96). Bryan Torres will play left field for St. Louis on Tuesday. |
|
Jose Fermin Jose Fermin Back in action Tuesday
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 3:04 PM
Fermin (undisclosed) will start at third base and bat ninth in Tuesday's contest versus the Giants.
Analysis: Fermin was scratched from Sunday's lineup against the White Sox with an undisclosed injury, and he did not see any action during Monday's series opener versus the Giants. However, the 27-year-old feels well enough to give it a go Tuesday as the Cardinals look to take the series. |
|
Assigned to AFL roster
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 11:17 AM
Elissalt (hip) has been assigned to the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League.
Analysis: Elissalt has been sidelined all season with a hip injury suffered in February. It's unclear whether he wound up having surgery or went the rest-and-rehab route, but either way, he's almost ready to test things out in game action. Elissalt was acquired from the Mets at the 2025 trade deadline in the deal that sent Ryan Helsley to New York. |
|
Tekoah Roby Tekoah Roby Will pitch in Arizona Fall League
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 11:13 AM
Roby (elbow) will pitch in the Arizona Fall League.
Analysis: Roby is coming back from Tommy John surgery, which he had in July 2025. While he will not make it back before the end of the minor-league season, the right-hander will make up for lost innings in the AFL. Roby is likely to open the 2027 season in the Triple-A Memphis rotation, and he'll be a candidate to make some starts for the Cardinals if things go well. |
|
Leo Bernal Leo Bernal Supplies three hits in win
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 10:12 PM
Bernal went 3-for-4 with a double and one RBI in Monday's 2-1 win over the Giants.
Analysis: Bernal collected his fourth multi-hit effort over 13 games in the majors. The 22-year-old catcher also has an extra-base hit in four of his last five games, and he's added seven RBI in that span. In total, he's batting .327 with a .933 OPS, three home runs, three doubles, 14 RBI and eight runs scored over his first 56 plate appearances for St. Louis. |
|
Thomas Saggese Thomas Saggese Records steal Monday
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 10:10 PM
Saggese went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 2-1 win over the Giants.
Analysis: Saggese is up to four steals on the year, including three over his last 10 games. He has gone 12-for-36 (.333) in that span, and he got a look in the leadoff spot Monday while Bryan Torres received a day off. Saggese is now batting .268 with a .738 OPS, four home runs, 12 RBI, 23 runs scored, five doubles and one triple over 140 plate appearances in the majors this season. |
|
Riley O'Brien Riley O'Brien Escapes trouble for save
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 10:07 PM
O'Brien allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Monday's 2-1 win over the Giants.
Analysis: It was another queasy performance for O'Brien, who put two on base and then unleashed a wild pitch that put them both in scoring position. He was able to get Christian Koss on a groundout to end the threat. O'Brien has 37 saves on the season, but he's converted just three of his six chances in September while allowing multiple baserunners four times in seven outings this month. Overall, O'Brien has a 4.13 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 62:28 K:BB across 61 innings. |
|
Quinn Mathews Quinn Mathews Secures second win
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 10:04 PM
Mathews (2-3) allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out eight over 6.2 innings to earn the win over the Giants on Monday.
Analysis: Mathews has posted quality starts in each of his last two outings. He limited the damage to Jonah Cox's RBI single in the sixth inning of this contest, marking the fourth time in seven games where Mathews has given up just one run. Through 37.1 innings, he's maintained a 3.62 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 36:16 K:BB. The left-hander is projected to make his next start at home versus the Nationals. |
|
Bryan Torres Bryan Torres Sitting out against righty
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 2:43 PM
Torres is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Giants.
Analysis: Torres had made nine straight starts against right-handed pitching, but he'll exit the lineup as the Giants send righty Landen Roupp to the bump. Thomas Saggese will handle second base and the leadoff spot for St. Louis. |
Connect With Us:
