St. Louis Cardinals News

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Brendan Donovan • 2B • Cardinals

Brendan Donovan Drawing Plenty of Trade Interest

The St. Louis Cardinals are not necessarily looking to trade infielder Brendan Donovan, but ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that the "market for him is percolating." Several teams see Donovan as an option at second base, third base, or left field. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter gives teams options, as he can hit leadoff or bat in the middle of the order because of his elite bat-to-ball skills and gap power. He has two years of club control left and is very affordable in arbitration before he reaches free agency. The Cardinals are retooling under new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, and almost nobody on the roster is off limits. For fantasy purposes, outside of Donovan's excellent contact and on-base skills and positional versatility, he doesn't bring much intrigue. The Dodgers, Mariners, Yankees, Red Sox, Pirates, Giants, Royals, and Guardians are teams that could come calling for Donovan.

2 days ago

Willson Contreras • 1B • Cardinals

Willson Contreras Willing to Waive his Full No-Trade Clause?

The Athletic's Katie Woo reports that St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras is open to trade offers this offseason and has "become more willing to waive his full no-trade clause." Woo goes on to explain that it won't necessarily change the Cardinals' order of operations, but they are "open to shopping Contreras." The top priority of the winter will be to trade veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado and one of their left-handed hitters. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar and infielder Brendan Donovan continue to receive interest from other clubs. Contreras handled himself very well defensively in his first season as a full-time first baseman, and although his plate discipline isn't anything special, his elite bat speed allows him to do plenty of damage as a hitter. The 33-year-old is owed $41.5 million over the next two years (with a team option for a third season). Teams such as the Padres, Marlins, Diamondbacks, and Pirates could be interested in landing Contreras.

2 days ago

Richard Fitts • SP • Cardinals

Cardinals Pick Up Richard Fitts in Trade With Red Sox

The St. Louis Cardinals are acquiring right-hander Richard Fitts and left-hander Brandon Clarke from the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for right-hander Sonny Gray and cash, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Cardinals are sending Boston $20 million to cover Gray's salary of $35 million in 2026. The 25-year-old Fitts will have a good shot at opening next season in St. Louis' starting rotation. In his first two years in the majors with Boston, he went 2-5 with a 3.97 ERA (5.02 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, and 49:23 K:BB in 15 outings (14 starts) over 65 2/3 innings pitched. Fitts struggled in 11 appearances (10 starts) in 2025, posting a 5.00 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 45 frames. He's under team control through 2031. Clarke, 22, has plenty of upside long term with an electric fastball and a wipeout slider. The young southpaw had a 4.03 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 60:27 K:BB in 14 starts in 2025 with Single-A Salem and High-A Greenville.

Nov 25

Lars Nootbaar • LF • Cardinals

Lars Nootbaar has Been Dealing With Heel Issues for Over Two Years

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (heels) has been dealing with pain in both of his heels for the last two and a half years, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Nootbaar had surgery on both of his heels on Oct. 7 and hopes to put the issues in the past in 2026. The 28-year-old outfielder admitted that he was definitely affected by his foot problems again in 2025, in which he slashed .234/.325/.361 with a .686 OPS, 13 home runs, 48 RBI, 68 runs scored, and only four stolen bases in 509 at-bats over a career-high 135 games played. He may be able to rebound next year if the surgeries solve his problems, but fantasy managers won't be in a rush to find out, especially since he could be delayed beyond Opening Day. In his five MLB seasons, Nootbaar has been unable to clear the 14-homer mark and doesn't have more than 48 RBI in a single season.

Oct 29

Lars Nootbaar • LF • Cardinals

Lars Nootbaar Not Guaranteed to be Ready for Opening Day

St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said that outfielder Lars Nootbaar (heels) isn't guaranteed to be ready for Opening Day in 2026 after having surgery on both of his heels. The Cardinals will not rush Nootbaar through the rehab process, but if he does miss time at the start of the season, it would be a "limited amount of time." The 28-year-old outfielder had surgery on both of his heels on Oct. 7 and could be delayed in the early going next season. Despite playing in a career-high 135 games for the Red Birds in 2025, Nootbaar wasn't able to improve on his counting stats as a hitter. The former eighth-round pick in 2018 out of USC slashed .234/.325/.361 with a .686 OPS, 13 home runs, 68 runs scored, 48 RBI, and four stolen bases in his 509 at-bats. At best, Nootbaar will be a late-round flier for outfield depth in fantasy drafts next spring.

Oct 28

Lars Nootbaar • LF • Cardinals

Lars Nootbaar has Surgery on Both of his Heels

The St. Louis Cardinals announced on Friday that outfielder Lars Nootbaar (heels) underwent surgery on both of his heels on Oct. 7 to shave down Haglund's deformities, according to John Denton of MLB.com. It's unclear if Nootbaar's surgeries will put his status for spring training or the start of the 2026 regular season in jeopardy at this time. The 28-year-old outfielder managed to play in a career-high 135 games for the Red Birds in 2025 in his fifth year in the majors, but his counting stats didn't take a step forward. In 583 plate appearances, the left-handed-hitting outfielder slashed a mediocre .234/.325/.361 with a career-low .686 OPS, 13 home runs, a career-high 48 RBI, 68 runs scored, and just four stolen bases. The oft-injured 28-year-old is unlikely to take the next step offensively unless he starts making better quality of contact and hitting the ball in the air more.

Oct 18

Brendan Donovan • 2B • Cardinals

Brendan Donovan Undergoes Sports Hernia Surgery

The St. Louis Cardinals announced on Friday that second baseman Brendan Donovan (hernia) underwent sports hernia surgery on Oct. 7, according to John Denton of MLB.com. Donovan was shut down towards the tail end of the regular season in September due to a hernia that he dealt with during the second half. The 28-year-old should be recovered well in time to be ready for the start of spring training in February, though. While Donovan is a much better real-life asset than a fantasy one because of his limited power and speed, it doesn't take away from the fact that he was one of the team's most consistent contributors in 2025 while playing multiple positions on the diamond. Donovan, a former seventh-rounder in 2018 out of South Alabama, was a first-time All-Star in his fourth MLB season and slashed a healthy .287/.353/.422 with 10 home runs, 50 RBI, 64 runs scored, and three steals in 118 games played.

Oct 18

Iván Herrera • C • Cardinals

Ivan Herrera Has Bone Spurs Removed From his Elbow

According to a source, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (elbow) had successful surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow on Oct. 15, per Jeff Jones of the Belleville News. The surgery is not expected to delay Herrera's offseason work, so he should be ready for the start of spring training next year in mid-February. Although the Cardinals used the 25-year-old almost exclusively as a designated hitter after the All-Star break in 2025, he's expected to open next season as the team's primary backstop. Despite missing time with injuries, the Panamanian backstop had a breakout season for the Red Birds in his fourth year in the big leagues, slashing .284/.373/.464 with an .837 OPS, 19 home runs, 66 RBI, 54 runs scored, and even eight stolen bases in 452 plate appearances over 107 games played. There's a lot to like about Herrera, who has hit a strong .286 (192-for-672) in his four seasons in the majors.

Oct 17

Masyn Winn • SS • Cardinals

Masyn Winn Undergoes Successfull Knee Surgery

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (knee) had successful surgery on Thursday to fix a torn meniscus in his right knee in Texas, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News. Previous estimates have Winn returning to full baseball activities by January, which means he should be ready in plenty of time before spring training. Winn had been playing through the injury for a while, but once it was clear that the Cardinals weren't going to be in the postseason, they shut him down. The 23-year-old is an excellent defender and can also contribute offensively, although he's not a high-end fantasy shortstop due to a lack of power. In his third big-league season, Winn finished with a .253/.310/.363 slash line, .673 OPS, nine home runs, 51 RBI, 72 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 129 games played. He should be just fine for Opening Day in 2026, barring a setback during his offseason rehab.

Sep 26

Brendan Donovan • 2B • Cardinals

Brendan Donovan Unlikely to Play in Final Series of the Season

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan (groin) is likely to appear only in an emergency in the final series of the season this weekend at Wrigley Field against the division-rival Chicago Cubs, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News. The Cardinals asked Donovan to push hard through a groin injury and general body soreness until they were eliminated from playoff contention, and he did. The Cardinals have been officially limited from the postseason, so they are shutting the 28-year-old down. Donovan was a first-time All-Star in 2025 for the Red Birds, hitting a strong .287 (132-for-460) in 118 games. Although he makes a lot of contact and has hit for a career .282 average in four MLB seasons, the lack of counting stats doesn't make him very attractive to fantasy managers. Donovan contributed only 10 home runs, 50 RBI, three steals, and 64 runs on the season. Nolan Gorman and Jose Fermin can fill in at second for Donovan to close out the final series.

Sep 26

Matthew Liberatore • SP • Cardinals

Matthew Liberatore Shut Down for 2025

St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore will not make his scheduled start in Sunday's season finale against the Chicago Cubs, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports. With the Cardinals eliminated from contention, they will will shut Liberatore down early and opt for a bullpen game. In what will go down as his last start of 2025, the 25-year-old tossed five innings of one-run ball in a win over the Milwaukee Brewers last Sunday. After spending the majority of his first three seasons as a reliever, Liberatore served as a full-time starter this year. He finished 8-12 with a 4.21 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP, 122 strikeouts, and 40 walks over 29 starts and 151 2/3 innings.

Sep 26

Brendan Donovan • 2B • Cardinals

Brendan Donovan Not in Lineup on Friday

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan (groin) is out of the lineup against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. Nolan Gorman will take over at second and hit fifth. This is the third game off since last Sunday for Donovan, who has been battling groin soreness. After missing just under a month with a strained left groin, Donovan returned Sept. 12 and has gone a sizzling 14-for-37 (.378) with a homer, seven doubles, five RBI, and seven runs scored in eight games. That hot streak has raised the 28-year-old's line to .287/.353/.422 with 10 HRs, 50 RBI, 64 runs, and three steals over 515 plate appearances this season.

Sep 26

Sonny Gray • SP • Cardinals

Sonny Gray Could Waive his No-Trade Clause

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Sonny Gray said that he will consider waiving his no-trade clause in the offseason to open up the possibility of being traded elsewhere this winter. "Whether I do decide that I want to go somewhere - whether that actually happens - I don't have complete control of that," said Gray. The 35-year-old former first-rounder and three-time All-Star is nearing the end of his career, but he could attract interest on the offseason trade market for a team looking to improve its starting rotation depth. Gray finished his 13th year in the big leagues in 2025 (second year with St. Louis) by going 14-8 with a 4.28 ERA (3.39 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 201 strikeouts and 38 walks in 180 2/3 innings over his 32 starts. He now has back-to-back 200-strikeout seasons for the first time in his career, and he's made 30 starts in two of the last three years.

Sep 25

J.J. Wetherholt • SS • Cardinals

J.J. Wetherholt an Option at Third Base in 2026

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop prospect J.J. Wetherholt could be an option at third base once the team moves on from Nolan Arenado in the offseason. The team is expected to trade Arenado, which would open a spot for someone at third, and it could be filled by the Cards' top-ranked prospect. Wetherholt earned himself a promotion to Triple-A in early July, and when Arenado went on the injured list in early August, the 23-year-old got his first start at third base of his minor league career while at Memphis. He ended up logging 12 starts at the hot corner, so it could be an option if the team wants to pursue it. The 2024 first-rounder spent most of his time at shortstop (61 starts in '25), but also saw some action at second base (20 starts in '25), all of which could be options in the future. The left-handed slugger had a phenomenal season, slashing .306/.421/.510 with 17 home runs, 23 steals, and a 72:73 BB:K between Double-A and Triple-A. Regardless of where he ends up, expect him to be in the big leagues in 2026.

Sep 23

Brendan Donovan • 2B • Cardinals

Brendan Donovan Expected to Return on Tuesday

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan (groin) is expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday against San Francisco Giants right-hander Logan Webb. Donovan has missed back-to-back games while dealing with soreness in his left groin. The 28-year-old landed on the 10-day injured list with a groin strain on Aug. 15 and was out of action for nearly a month before returning Sept. 12. After posting a .797 OPS in the first few months of the season and earning an All-Star nod, Donovan has stumbled to a .627 mark in the second half. Overall, though, he has hit a solid .282/.349/.408 with 10 homers, 48 RBI, 62 runs, and three steals across 116 games and 506 trips to the plate. In eight plate appearances against Webb, the lefty-swinging Donovan has gone 3-for-7 with a double, an RBI, three strikeouts, and a walk.

Sep 23

JoJo Romero • RP • Cardinals

JoJo Romero Earns Eighth Save Of Season Monday

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher JoJo Romero picked up his eighth save of the season in Monday's 6-5 win over the Giants. Romero came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning up by one and tossed a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout. The Cardinals have used numerous relief pitchers in save situations over the last 30 days, with Romero seeing more than others. The 29-year-old has pitched well this season, going 4-6 with eight of nine save opportunities converted and 23 holds to go with a 2.09 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, and an 8.06 K/9 rate in 60 1/3 innings of work. While he has been one of the better arms out of the bullpen for the Cardinals, his fantasy value for the final week will remain up in the air, given how the Cardinals have utilized their bullpen at the end of games recently.

Sep 23

Masyn Winn • SS • Cardinals

Masyn Winn to Have Knee Surgery on Thursday, Should be Ready for Spring

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (knee) will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Thursday, manager Oliver Marmol announced. The Cardinals expect Winn to be ready for spring training in 2026. The 23-year-old gutted out a meniscus tear during the second half of the season until the Cardinals shut him down earlier this month. With his knee bothering him, Winn went just 4-for-21 with no extra-base hits, one RBI, seven strikeouts, and two walks in seven games in September. The defensive standout finished 2025 with 22 Outs Above Average, which ranked first in the majors when his season came to a premature end, and hit .253/.310/.363 line with nine homers, 51 RBI, 72 runs, and nine steals in 537 plate appearances.

Sep 23

Brendan Donovan • 2B • Cardinals

Brendan Donovan Scratched From Lineup on Monday

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan (groin) has been scratched from the lineup on Monday against the San Francisco Giants. Donovan was originally penciled in to play second and lead off, but he'll instead sit out with stiffness and soreness stemming from a groin injury, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The 28-year-old went on the 10-day IL with a strained left groin on Aug. 15 and didn't return until Sept. 12. Donovan has gone a productive 9-for-28 with a homer, three RBI, and five runs scored in six contests since he came back, though he has now been out of the lineup in back-to-back games. The Cardinals are hopeful that Donovan will return on Tuesday. In the meantime, Jose Fermin will fill in at second on Monday and hit eighth against right-hander Justin Verlander.

Sep 23

Iván Herrera • C • Cardinals

Ivan Herrera to Undergo Offseason Elbow Surgery

St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter/catcher Ivan Herrera (elbow) will undergo surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow after the season, Jim Hayes of FanDuel Sports Network reports. Herrera is expected to be ready for spring training. In the meantime, he'll have the procedure to fix an elbow issue that has negatively affected his ability to throw to second base over the past couple of seasons. The 25-year-old has only served as a catcher in 14 games this season - none since July - but he should see a lot more action behind the plate in 2026 if the surgery goes according to plan. Herrera has broken out offensively this year with a .281/.369/.455 line, 17 homers, 60 RBI, 50 runs scored, and eight stolen bases over 427 plate appearances. Considering his offensive prowess, Herrera could be among the most valuable backstops in both real life and fantasy if he's able to stick as a catcher in the future.

Sep 22

Lars Nootbaar • LF • Cardinals

Lars Nootbaar Not in Lineup on Saturday

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar isn't in the starting lineup on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Alec Burleson will take his place in left field and hit third versus right-hander Chad Patrick, while Nolan Gorman will play first base and bat sixth. This has been a rough September for Nootbaar, who has struggled to a .222/.290/.328 line with one extra-base hit (a double), four RBI, and 10:5 K:BB in 16 games. The 28-year-old has offered better production than that this season, though he has still hit a mediocre .237/.325/.368 with 13 homers, 48 RBI, 66 runs scored, and four steals over 557 plate appearances.

Sep 20

St. Louis Cardinals News

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