Ivan Herrera

Fantasy News

• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: May not stick behind plate

  Rotowire Feb 13, 2026

  The Cardinals could explore using Herrera (elbow) in left field or at first base if he's unable to stick at catcher, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Herrera was limited to designated hitter duties for the final few months of last season due to defensive issues and also a lingering elbow injury that he had surgically corrected in November. The Cardinals gave Herrera a list of things to work on over the offseason in order to improve his game preparation and game management, and they're optimistic his throwing will improve after surgery. If a return to catcher ultimately isn't in the cards, Herrera could be tried out in left field -- where he played four games last season -- or at first base. Herrera is being eased into throwing and hitting in camp but is expected to be fully healthy for Opening Day.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Throwing and hitting limited

  Rotowire Feb 12, 2026

  Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said Thursday that Herrera (elbow) remains limited with his throwing and hitting, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Herrera underwent surgery in November to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, so he's being eased into things in spring training. The elbow rehab will keep Herrera from participating in the World Baseball Classic for his native Panama due to insurance issues, but it is not expected to affect his Opening Day availability. Herrera is attempting to return to catcher in 2026 after the elbow issue limited him to designated hitter duty for the final few months of the 2025 season.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Begins throwing program

  Rotowire Jan 22, 2026

  Herrera (elbow) was cleared to begin a throwing program earlier in January and is expected to begin hitting and defensive drills this week, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Herrera underwent surgery in November to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, an injury that limited him to designated-hitter duty in the final few months of the 2025 season. The 25-year-old is expected to be ready to roll for the start of spring training. Herrera will attempt to return to the catching position in 2026, though Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol indicated that the team's evaluation of Herrera at catcher will likely continue into the regular season. For fantasy purposes, Herrera will enter 2026 as utility-eligible only, but he could regain catcher eligibility early on.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Will be cleared to throw soon

  Rotowire Dec 8, 2025

  Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Herrera (elbow) will begin throwing in a matter of weeks, John Denton of MLB.com reports. Herrera underwent surgery in November to remove bone spurs from his right elbow and remains in the rehab phase of his recovery. The Cardinals anticipate him being ready to go for the beginning of spring training. Herrera will receive another opportunity to catch in 2026 after injuries limited him to designated hitter in the second half, though he is not expected to be a full-time catcher.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Undergoes elbow surgery

  Rotowire Oct 17, 2025

  Herrera underwent surgery Wednesday to have bone spurs removed from his right elbow, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports. It had been reported in September that Herrera would have offseason elbow surgery after his arm had bothered him for a couple years. The procedure is considered minor and is not expected to affect his offseason workouts or readiness for spring training. Herrera slashed .284/.373/.464with 19 home runs over 107 games for the Cardinals this season. He was a full-time designated hitter during the second half, but Herrera will prepare exclusively as a catcher this offseason.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Belts key homer in win

  Rotowire Sep 23, 2025

  Herrera went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and two walks in Monday's victory over the Giants. Herrera tied the game in the fifth inning with a two-run homer off Justin Verlander, sparking a Cardinals win. The 25-year-old has been one of the brightest spots in St. Louis this year, slashing .281/.372/.462 with 13 doubles, 18 homers and 62 RBI in 102 games. While he showed promise with an .800 OPS in 72 games last season, Herrera's ability to maintain strong rate stats while boosting his overall production in 2025 makes this breakout especially encouraging.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Goes deep in win

  Rotowire Sep 21, 2025

  Herrera went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run, two runs scored and a walk in Sunday's 5-1 win over Milwaukee. He was also hit by a pitch. On Saturday, Herrera told Jim Hayes of FanDuel Sports Network Midwest that he would undergo a minor procedure in the offseason to address an elbow issue that has hindered him in making throws behind the plate, which has been a factor in the Cardinals electing not to use him at catcher since he returned from a stint on the injured list July 13. He made four starts in left field from July 28 through Aug. 13 but has otherwise been used exclusively at designated hitter. He should continue to finish out the season as the Cardinals' primary DH, and Herrera was able to snap out of a minor power drought by connecting on his 17th long ball of the season in the third inning. He had failed to record an extra-base hit in any of his previous six starts entering Sunday.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Will prep as catcher this offseason

  Rotowire Sep 21, 2025

  Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Saturday that Herrera will prepare exclusively as a catcher this offseason, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Herrera last saw action at catcher June 19, as he's been used as a full-time designated hitter since rejoining the Cardinals on July 13 following a stint on the injured list due to a hamstring strain. The move to the DH-only role was made in order to help keep Herrera healthy, but it was also due to his defensive shortcomings. Per Jim Hayes of FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, Herrera will undergo elbow surgery this offseason to correct an issue that's prevented him from getting his arm in the proper position to make throws to second base. In addition to recovering from surgery, Herrera will focus on improving his game calling. Marmol noted that Herrera's chances of sticking at catcher will "play out" during spring training, but the team is heading into the offseason expecting him to factor into the picture behind the plate. Herrera will likely finish 2025 with 14 games played (13 starts) at catcher, so he won't have eligibility at the position in most fantasy leagues entering next season. However, he should have a good chance to regain that eligibility early on in 2026.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Belts another home run

  Rotowire Sep 14, 2025

  Herrera went 3-for-5 with a solo homer, a double and an additional run scored during the Cardinals' 9-8 extra-inning loss to the Brewers on Saturday. Herrera got things started early with a solo homer off Jacob Misiorowski in the first inning. It was Herrera's 16th home run of the season, five of which have come in 11 games since Sept. 1. Over that span, he has gone 11-for-39 (.282) with one steal, nine runs and seven RBI.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Three RBI on Tuesday

  Rotowire Aug 20, 2025

  Herrera went 2-for-5 with three RBI and a steal in Tuesday's win over the Marlins. Herrera drove in the first three runs of the game for the Cardinals with a single to right in the first and another one in the second. It was his first multi-RBI game since July 24, and he's now hit safely in seven of his last eight games. Herrera's second-inning steal was his sixth theft of the season, passing his previous best of five from 2024. The 25-year-old is slashing .289/.366/.440 with 10 homers, 46 RBI, 31 runs and a 28:64 BB:K in 303 plate appearances.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Homer, steal in win

  Rotowire Aug 5, 2025

  Herrera went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a stolen base in Monday's 3-2 win over the Dodgers. Herrera has logged three straight multi-hit efforts, but the homer was just his second since June 15. The 25-year-old missed about a month in that span due to a hamstring injury, but he has settled in as the Cardinals' main designated hitter since his return just before the All-Star break. He's also made three starts in left field over the last week, which gives him another path to playing time if he can learn the position on the fly. He's hit well enough to stay in the lineup regularly -- Herrera is batting .310 with an .880 OPS, 10 homers, 40 RBI, 28 runs scored and four steals over 247 plate appearances this season.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Making first start in outfield

  Rotowire Jul 28, 2025

  Herrera will start in left field and bat second in Monday's game against the Marlins. Herrera has been taking pregame outfield reps in recent weeks, but he'll be making his first-ever professional start in the outfield Monday. All 11 of his previous starts this month since he returned from a hamstring injury had come at designated hitter.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Swipes two bags

  Rotowire Jul 13, 2025

  Herrera went 1-for-3 with a walk and two stolen bases in Sunday's win over Atlanta. Herrera singled in the first inning and drew a walk in the third. He would swipe second base after each of those plate appearances. It was Herrera's first appearance since June 19 after a stint on the injured list for a hamstring issue, so the stolen bases were a very positive sign. He owns a strong .320/.394/.529 slash line with three stolen bases and 16 extra-base hits through 175 plate appearances.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Beginning rehab assignment

  Rotowire Jul 10, 2025

  Herrera (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Thursday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports. Herrera will serve as Memphis' designated hitter for the next four days. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol noted that Herrera's catching will be limited in the second half due to two injuries to the same (left) leg, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports. Barring any setbacks, Herrera will rejoin the Cardinals' active roster for the first game after the All-Star break and will be the team's primary DH. He's been shelved since late June with a left hamstring strain.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Rehab games coming this week

  Rotowire Jul 8, 2025

  Herrera (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Thursday or Friday and expects to be activated from the 10-day injured list upon resumption of play after the All-Star break, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports. Coming back from a strained left hamstring, Herrera ran the bases at full speed over the weekend and is able to do all other baseball activities. He will presumably remain on his rehab assignment with Memphis through early next week before returning to the Cardinals' active roster coming out of the All-Star break. Herrera was operating as the team's primary designated hitter before getting hurt, and he will be an everyday player between DH and catcher, once activated.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Won't return until second half

  Rotowire Jul 4, 2025

  Herrera (hamstring) may begin a rehab assignment before the All-Star break, but he is not expected to be activated until after the break, per president of baseball operations John Mozeliak on Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The fact that Herrera could start rehab games before the break makes it seem like he could be activated at or around the start of the second half, which begins July 18 in Arizona. Pedro Pages has been handling the bulk of the work behind the plate for the Cardinals in Herrera's absence.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Getting rest in Game 2

  Rotowire Jun 19, 2025

  Herrera is not in the lineup for the second game Thursday's doubleheader against the White Sox. Herrera started the previous 34 games but will take a seat for the second half of Thursday's twin bill. He went 2-for-4 with a run in the Cardinals' 5-4 win over the White Sox in the first game of the doubleheader.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Drives in four runs

  Rotowire Jun 18, 2025

  Herrera went 2-for-5 with four RBI in Tuesday's win over the White Sox. Herrera collected a pair of two-RBI singles, and his night could have been even bigger if not for Michael Taylor robbing him of a home run to lead off the top of the fifth inning. The 25-year-old has now driven in 36 runs in just 41 games for the Cardinals this season. With Brendan Donovan moving up to the leadoff spot, Herrera appears to be cementing himself as St. Louis' new No. 3 hitter against right-handed pitching.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Stays hot with four RBI

  Rotowire May 17, 2025

  Herrera went 3-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 10-4 win over the Royals. Despite playing just 13 games so far, Herrera already has a trio of three-hit performances in 2025. Over his first 50 plate appearances, the 24-year-old backstop is slashing a robust .419/.480/.907 with five home runs, six doubles, 18 RBI and 12 runs scored. Although those figures are unsustainable, Herrera is certainly worth a look in the majority of mixed leagues for those in need of help at catcher.

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• Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Four hits in doubleheader

  Rotowire May 14, 2025

  Herrera went 4-for-8 with a double and two runs scored as the Cardinals split Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Phillies. Herrera missed over a month due to a left knee bone bruise. Since his return last week, he's gone 7-for-18 with three extra-base hits, three RBI and four runs scored, including an impressive performance in Wednesday's doubleheader. He was the designated hitter in the matinee game before returning to catching duties in the nightcap. He's had a hot bat in limited action this season, hitting .385 with five homers, 14 RBI, 10 runs scored, four doubles and no stolen bases over 12 contests.

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