Cardinals' Jordan Walker: Pleased with work at Driveline
Rotowire
Walker said earlier this week that he "found something" with his swing while working at Driveline Baseball in October that was "real exciting," Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Walker's assessment at Driveline determined that his back hip was collapsing on his swing, which caused him to drift forward and sap him of his power. He was put through drills with resistance bands and swing training that help him keep his hip back, and Walker said he feels like "I can crush anything they throw at me." In addition to his work at Driveline, Walker has also been given meal-prep and nutrition plans and gone through a strength and agility training plan given to him at Cressey Sports Performance, which focuses on flexibility. After slashing just .211/.270/.324 over the last two seasons and spending time in the minors both years to work on his swing, Walker knows he needs to show real progress in 2026, and it seems he's putting in the work to help him reach that goal. The rebuilding Cardinals plan to give the 23-year-old regular playing time in right field in 2026.
Cardinals' Kyle Leahy: Expected to capture rotation spot
Rotowire
Leahy is expected to open the 2026 season in the Cardinals' rotation, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
The trade of Sonny Gray to the Red Sox further depleted St. Louis' rotation depth, and, barring a poor showing during spring training, it sounds like Leahy will win one of the five rotation slots. Leahy threw three innings in the Cardinals' final regular season game in 2025 in what was his first-ever start at the major-league level. He did work multiple frames out of the bullpen often this season, but Leahy has not been used as a starter regularly since 2022. If he is indeed in the rotation in 2026, some workload restrictions are likely to be in place,
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Brandon Clarke: Traded to Cardinals
Rotowire
The Cardinals acquired Clarke and Richard Fitts from the Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for Sonny Gray and cash considerations, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Clarke has an electric arm with a big fastball and wipeout slider that helped him strike out 60 over 38 innings between Single-A Salem and High-A Greenville this season. However, he also walked 27 batters and missed a chunk of time with blister issues. The 22-year-old is a high-upside, high-risk addition to the St. Louis farm system.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Richard Fitts: Dealt to St. Louis
Rotowire
The Cardinals acquired Fitts and Brandon Clarke from the Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for Sonny Gray and cash considerations, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Fitts made 14 starts and one relief appearance for the Red Sox the past two years, collecting a 3.97 ERA and 49:23 K:BB over 65.2 innings. The right-hander is under team control through 2031 and stands a good chance to open the season in the Cardinals' rotation. Fitts ended the season on the injured list with right arm neuritis, but he entered the offseason without limitations.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Sem Robberse: Returning to St. Louis
Rotowire
Robberse (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Robberse was non-tendered by St. Louis on Friday, but the club has since elected to bring him back on a minor-league deal. He's currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss the first few months of the 2026 campaign.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Scott Blewett: Headed to St. Louis
Rotowire
Blewett signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Blewett spent the 2025 season with Atlanta, Baltimore and Minnesota, posting a 5.48 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 35 strikeouts over 44.1 innings (two starts). He'll get a fresh start with the Cardinals, where he figures to serve as organizational bullpen depth.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Yohel Pozo: Re-signs with St. Louis
Rotowire
The Cardinals re-signed Pozo to a one-year contract Monday.
Pozo was non-tendered by St. Louis last week but is now back in the organization just a few days later on a split contract. The Cardinals already have Ivan Herrera, Jimmy Crooks and Pedro Pages competing for reps at catcher on the major-league roster, but Pozo will also factor into the mix. He slashed .231/.262/.375 with five home runs in 67 games for the Cardinals in 2025.
Cardinals' Jorge Alcala: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
The Cardinals designated Alcala for assignment Tuesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Alcala struggled to find his footing on the mound in 2025, finishing the regular season with a 6.22 ERA and 1.75 WHIP across 55 total innings between Minnesota, Boston and St. Louis. He'll have the right to elect free agency if he clears waivers, although he will likely have to settle for a minor-league deal if he does so.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Cooper Hjerpe: Joins 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Cardinals selected Hjerpe's (elbow) contract from Double-A Springfield on Tuesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Hjerpe is expected to miss the first portion of the 2026 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April, but the Cardinals will grant him a 40-man spot anyway to ensure he doesn't get selected by another club during the Rule 5 Draft. The 24-year-old lefty owns a 3.38 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across his minor-league career and will presumably return to Double-A once he's deemed fully healthy.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Brycen Mautz: Protected from Rule 5 Draft
Rotowire
The Cardinals selected Mautz's contract from Double-A Springfield on Tuesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Mautz spent all of 2025 at Springfield and turned in his best season yet, finishing with a 2.98 ERA and 1.11 WHIP alongside a 134:33 K:BB over 114.2 innings. The 24-year-old southpaw will be protected from the Rule 5 Draft now that he owns a spot on St. Louis' 40-man roster, and he'll most likely report to Triple-A Memphis to begin the 2026 season.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Joshua Baez: Selected to 40-man
Rotowire
The Cardinals selected Baez's contract from Double-A Springfield on Tuesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Baez adjusted well to Double-A ball upon receiving his promotion in late May, slashing .271/.371/.509 with 16 homers, 55 RBI, 46 runs scored and 33 stolen bases across 79 games at Springfield. His breakout season has earned him a spot on St. Louis' 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft in December, and he may be a candidate to make his big-league debut in 2026 if he continues to stuff the stat sheet in the minors.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Leonardo Bernal: Protected from Rule 5 Draft
Rotowire
The Cardinals selected Bernal's contract from Double-A Springfield on Tuesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Bernal spent the entire 2025 campaign at Springfield and slashed .247/.332/.394 with 13 homers, 69 RBI, 58 runs scored and 13 steals across 454 plate appearances. The 21-year-old backstop will be ineligible for the Rule 5 Draft now that he owns a 40-man spot, and he could potentially receive a promotion to Triple-A Memphis to begin 2026.
1:59
1:27
0:22
0:44
9:02
1:05
10:52
1:17
0:51
1:22
1:12
9:37
0:57
9:43
1:31
1:26
0:44
2:04
9:14
0:23
