Arenado went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer in Friday's win over Arizona.
Arenado started the Cardinals' big day with a three-run jack in the first inning. He snapped an uncharacteristic 39-game homeless drought dating back to last season. The veteran third baseman boosted his season slash line to .276/.295/.379 with four extra-base hits and eight RBI through 61 plate appearances.
Arenado went 3-for-5 with an RBI double and a run scored in Thursday's 8-5 win over the Marlins.
Arenado has quietly put together a six-game hitting streak after opening the year 0-for-7 in the first two contests. The third baseman wasn't as quiet in the Cardinals' home opener, knocking his second double through eight games. He's still searching for a home run, but he's hitting .265 with four RBI and three runs scored while occupying a spot in the heart of the order and a starting role at third base, as usual.
Arenado (back) is scheduled to take live batting practice Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Arenado's involvement in the Cardinals' first full-squad workout of spring training implies that he reported to camp with no restrictions after he closed the 2023 season on the 10-day injured list due to lower-back spasms. In an effort to improve his flexibility and avoid further back problems during the upcoming campaign, Arenado took up pilates and shed a few pounds in the offseason. The 32-year-old still boasts an elite glove at third base, but he showed his some slight signs of decline in 2023, with his .774 OPS representing a 117-point decline from 2022. Arenado's batted-ball data also mirrored the dropoff in most of the counting categories, with his barrel rate, hard-hit percentage and average exit velocity all ranking in the bottom 40 percent of hitters in the league.
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Cardinals' Nolan Arenado: Sheds some weight for 2024
Rotowire
Arenado (back) is in better shape entering 2024, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Arenado has taken up pilates to be more flexible, losing a few pounds in the process. The 32-year-old third baseman is still expected to be the Cardinals' starter at the hot corner in 2024, so getting a little fitter can only help to keep him on the field. He had a challenging 2023, as did many Cardinals, slashing .266/.315/.459 with 26 home runs, 93 RBI, 71 runs scored, 26 doubles and three stolen bases over 144 contests. It was the first time he finished with an OPS under .800 in a full season since his rookie year with the Rockies in 2013.
