Cardinals Announce More Roster Moves

The Cardinals reassigned 6 players on Saturday and 5 on Monday

The Cardinals announced 2 sets of roster moves since Saturday’s game, including a few big name prospects that were still in camp. Down below are a few thoughts and who is still in camp.

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CARDINALS REDUCE SPRING TRAINING ROSTER TO 51; FIVE PLAYERS OPTIONED TO MINORS AMONG TODAY’S MOVES

JUPITER, Fla., March 7, 2026 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced the team has reduced its Spring Training roster to 51 players today, with six players moving to minor league camp.

The team optioned pitcher Tink Hence, infielder César Prieto, infielder/outfielder Bryan Torres, and catchers Leo Bernal and Jimmy Crooks to the Memphis (AAA) roster and re-assigned non-roster pitcher Skylar Hales to minor league camp.

The Cardinals currently have 34 major league roster players and 17 non-roster invitees in Major League camp.

— STL —

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CARDINALS MOVE FIVE PLAYERS TO MINORS; 46 PLAYERS REMAIN ON MAJOR LEAGUE SPRING ROSTER

JUPITER, Fla., March 9, 2026 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that the team has reduced its Spring Training roster to 46 players, with five players moving to minor league camp.

The team optioned pitchers Cooper Hjerpe, Brycen Mautz and Nick Raquet, and outfielder Joshua Baez to the Memphis (AAA) roster and re-assigned non-roster pitcher Quinn Mathews to minor league camp.

The Cardinals currently have 30 major league roster players and 16 non-roster invitees in Major League camp.

— STL —

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The Cardinals have sent down some prospect stock since Sunday’s game:

• Baez #5
• Mathews #6
• Crooks #7
• Bernal #9
• Hence #10
• Hjerpe #11
• Mautz #18
• Prieto #37
• Torres #47

Baez has kept doing what got him recognized last year as a prospect: he’s hitting for power. In fact, he hit a homer the day he was demoted and the next game. He’s also carrying a .333 average, but he’s facing subpar pitching (7.4 OppQual, meaning AA/AAA level pitching). He’s going to be up this season, as soon as Jordan Walker shows signs of cracking or Lars Nootbaar is traded (hopefully the trade).

Mathews too will be up before we know it; his numbers aren’t as strong as Baez’s, but he’s struck out 12 in 7.0 innings. It’s promising, but like Baez, he’s facing subpar hitters (7.6 OppQual). He might be the first guy in line for spot starts this season.

Crooks and Bernal going down solves the catching questions; Ivan Herrera, Pedro Pages, and Yohel Pozo will all be on the active roster. I think we see more of a split between Herrera and Pages, with Herrera as the DH when he’s not behind the plate. Pozo will be more of the traditional backup. This could all change if Herrera is 100% healthy. Crooks and Bernal will split catching time in Memphis.

Hence looks to be moved to the bullpen, which I’ve been expecting. He’s got elite velocity, but he can’t stay healthy enough to make the most of it. Being used in shorter stints will preserve his arm and get him used to MLB hitters, once he’s used to the bullpen lifestyle.

Hjerpe and Mautz are guys to keep an eye on, but neither are quite there yet; later in the season is possible though. Prieto could see a utility role later in the season with an injury or ineffectiveness somewhere on the roster.

Prospects still in camp (7): JJ Wetherholt (NRI – #1), Blaze Jordan (NRI – #24), Nathan Church (#26), Luis Gastelum (NRI – #29), Chase Davis (NRI – #30), Max Rajcic (NRI – #44), Matt Koperniak (NRI – #50)

Prospects sent down (9): Jurrangelo Cijntje (NRI – #4), Baez (#5), Mathews (NRI – #6), Crooks (#7), Bernal (#9), Hence (#10), Ixan Henderson (NRI – #17), Hancel Rincon (NRI – #28), Pete Hansen (NRI – #33).

Non-Roster Invitees still in camp (16): Scott Blewett (RHP), Davis (OF), Gastelum (RHP), Jordan (IF), Koperniak (OF), Carlos Linarez (C), Ramon Mendoza (IF), Brody Moore (IF), Gerson Moreno (RHP), Packy Naughton (LHP), Rajcic (RHP), Jeremy Rivas (IF), Nelson Velazquez (OF), Wetherholt (IF), Andy Yerzy (C), Bruce Zimmermann (LHP).

Non-Roster Invitees sent down (12): Mike Antico (OF), Cijntje (RHP), Hales (RHP), Hansen (LHP), Henderson (LHP), Austin Love (RHP), Mathews (RHP), Rincon (RHP), Sem Robberse (RHP), Jared Shuster (LHP), Graysen Tarlow (C), Zack Thompson (LHP).

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