Cardinals' Jordan Walker Out for Two Games Due to Right Knee Inflammation Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker missed the second consecutive game against the Yankees on Wednesday, a 3-1 Cardinals victory, due to right knee inflammation. The team opted for a precautionary day off, hoping Walker’s knee would improve by Friday’s game against the Rockies at Busch Stadium. Manager Oliver Marmol noted Walker is listed as day to day, with the team prioritizing his recovery over short-term matchups. Walker’s absence followed a late scratch in Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to New York, where he was unable to come off the bench. Before Tuesday’s game, Walker had been struggling with knee discomfort, which worsened during pregame drills. Marmol explained that the inflammation persisted despite efforts to loosen up, with Walker feeling the effects when hitting the bag hard. “He felt it a little bit yesterday,” Marmol said, adding that the knee did not respond as quickly as expected. The manager emphasized the team’s cautious approach, hoping the three-day break would allow Walker to regain full mobility. Walker last played in Monday’s 13-7 win over New York, where he went 2-for-5 with a run scored. However, his knee issues have been a recurring challenge this season. Marmol described the inflammation as a persistent issue, with Walker experiencing discomfort during drills and games. The manager noted that the injury has been “in and out” throughout the season, but the recent flare-up on Tuesday raised concerns about his readiness for upcoming games. Walker is having the best season of his career, hitting .285 with 22 home runs and 81 RBIs. A standout moment came during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at All-Star week in July, where he won the competition.#oliver_marmol #jordan_walker #cardinals #busch_stadium #t_mobile_home_run_derby
Cardinals Fall Below .500 for First Time in 2026 The St. Louis Cardinals dropped below a .500 record for the first time in 2026 after a 10-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium. The defeat marked their fifth loss in six games at home and pushed their overall record to 53-54. The team’s struggles came after a strong start to the season, during which they built a favorable standing in the National League Central. However, a recent stretch of poor performance has raised concerns about their ability to maintain their early-season success. The Cardinals’ decline has been particularly evident in their recent games, with the team failing to capitalize on opportunities and struggling to contain opponents. Michael McGreevy, one of the team’s most consistent players, became a focal point of the losing streak after allowing seven runs while recording only five outs in a single game. His performance highlighted the team’s inability to sustain the level of play that had defined their early-season success. Manager Oliver Marmol acknowledged the challenges the team faces but emphasized the importance of learning from the losses. “Although frustrating, I love where our staff’s minds are at,” Marmol said. “Previous years, there would have been a high, high level of frustration with this stretch. And our staff, I give them a lot of credit, because they keep me from getting there at times, of really understanding what the task is.” Marmol’s comments reflect a focus on using the losing streak as a teaching moment rather than a setback. The manager also discussed the mental approach required to navigate difficult stretches. “You have back-to-back walks, and then you chase a changeup off the plate in order to end the inning,” Marmol explained.#chicago_cubs #st_louis_cardinals #oliver_marmol #busch_stadium #michael_mcgreevy
Michael McGreevy helps Cardinals beat Brewers on his birthday Michael McGreevy celebrated his 26th birthday with a standout performance as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1, ending a four-game losing streak and a seven-game skid against their NL Central rivals. The right-handed starter pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out six and walking one. His outing marked the 13th consecutive birthday win for Cardinals pitchers, a streak dating back to Sept. 25, 2008, when Joel Piñeiro recorded a 12-3 victory over the D-backs on his 30th birthday. McGreevy, who had never pitched on his birthday before, admitted to nerves but found success after navigating a bases-loaded jam in the first inning. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol praised McGreevy’s ability to settle in, highlighting his effective use of the sinker, cutter, and sweeper. “He made pitches and was able to settle in,” Marmol said. “The overall mix was really good. Giving us exactly what we needed today was important.” The manager also noted the strategic decision to move McGreevy’s start back a day to provide extra rest ahead of the All-Star break, emphasizing the value of listening to players’ input. “It’s good to stick to what we said we’d do,” Marmol added. McGreevy’s game wasn’t without incident. In the fifth inning, Cooper Pratt’s 103-mph liner hit him in the chest, prompting a brief pause as the training staff checked on him. Despite the collision, McGreevy recovered to throw out Pratt at first base and delivered a “rock and roll” gesture. “I think I shook Pedro [Pagés] too,” McGreevy joked, referencing the hit as “karma.” The last Cardinals starter to win on his birthday was Kwang Hyun Kim, who defeated the Cubs on July 22, 2021.#milwaukee_brewers #st_louis_cardinals #oliver_marmol #jordan_walker #michael_mcgreevy
Nathan Church Shines with Two Home Runs and Defensive Acrobatics in Cardinals' Loss Nathan Church delivered a standout performance on Saturday, launching two home runs into the St. Louis Cardinals’ bullpen during a 11-9 loss to the Seattle Mariners. The game, played at Busch Stadium, showcased Church’s emerging offensive prowess and defensive brilliance, solidifying his role as a key contributor for the Cardinals. Church’s first-inning home run, a towering shot into the bullpen, marked the start of a historic day. The second inning saw him repeat the feat, sending another ball soaring into the same area. These two home runs, his first career multi-homer game, propelled his season total to four and elevated his on-base plus slugging (OPS) to a robust .760. Manager Oliver Marmol praised Church’s growing confidence, noting, “The swings are looking better and better. The confidence, it’s continuing to grow — which is what he needs.” Beyond his offensive heroics, Church’s defensive skills shone. In the sixth inning, he leaped to rob Mitch Garver of a potential extra-base hit, a play reminiscent of his Opening Day defensive highlight against Tampa Bay’s Ryan Vilade. The Mariners’ bullpen erupted in frustration, contrasting with Marmol’s exuberance. “That was pretty sick,” Scott said, describing his animated reaction to Church’s catch. Church’s approach to defense is pragmatic yet effective. “First rule of thumb, just get to the wall as fast as you can,” he explained. “If there’s a play to be made, then jump and try and catch it.” His ability to distinguish between balls that should land in the bullpen and those that must be kept out of it proved critical. Church ended the game 3-for-3 in this regard, showcasing his dual threat as both an offensive and defensive asset.#seattle_mariners #nathan_church #oliver_marmol #busch_stadium #lars_nootbaar
Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt Ranked Among MLB's Top Rookies The St. Louis Cardinals are in the middle of a substantial rebuild, having traded four of their best players during the offseason and relying heavily on young talent to carry the team this season. Among the emerging stars, rookie shortstop JJ Wetherholt has emerged as the team’s most promising player, though he is not yet the most impactful contributor in the lineup. Still, his potential has positioned him as a key figure around whom the Cardinals could build a competitive roster. The high expectations for Wetherholt, however, have been tempered by his early performance, which has drawn both praise and cautious optimism from analysts. CBS Sports’ Dayn Perry recently ranked Wetherholt as the No. 10 best rookie in Major League Baseball for the 2026 season, a recognition that highlights his value despite the challenges of adapting to the major leagues. Perry’s assessment underscores Wetherholt’s advanced skills and the potential he brings to the Cardinals’ future. However, the ranking may also reflect the gap between his current performance and the lofty expectations set by his pre-draft reputation. Wetherholt, a former No. 7 overall pick from West Virginia, was promoted to the majors ahead of the 2026 season, securing the second-base job in the Cardinals’ infield. His transition to the big leagues has been marked by steady development, with Perry noting that the move proved to be a “sage promotion” so far. While Wetherholt has not yet shown the power that made him a top prospect, his plate discipline and defensive abilities have made him a valuable asset. Through 12 games, he is slashing .244/.364/.333 with a .697 OPS, a home run, three stolen bases, and eight walks. His on-base percentage (.#west_virginia #jj_wetherholt #oliver_marmol #cardinals #dayn_perry
Jordan Walker’s 100.6 mph throw to record an out at home plate against the Tigers highlights his rapid development as a defensive asset for the Cardinals Jordan Walker’s standout performance in the third inning of a scoreless game against the Tigers showcased his growing prowess as a right fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. The 23-year-old’s laser-like throw to nail Detroit’s Javier Báez at home plate, clocked at 100.6 mph, marked the fastest recorded assist by a Cardinal in the Statcast era and the hardest-tracked throw for an assist in MLB this season. The play occurred after Tigers shortstop Gleyber Torres hit a hard line drive to the right-field grass, with Báez breaking for home with two outs. Walker fielded the ball off the hop and fired a 244-foot throw to Iván Herrera at the plate, securing the out. Manager Oliver Marmol praised the play, calling it a “refreshing shift in demeanor” for Walker, who had faced growing pains in his early MLB career. Walker’s defensive transformation has been a key focus for the Cardinals, particularly after his struggles in 2024. Transitioning from third base to the outfield late in the 2022 season at Double-A, Walker spent limited time in the minors before being tested daily at the Major League level. His rookie season defensively was marked by a -13 OAA (outfield assists minus errors), ranking third worst among MLB outfielders. However, a renewed confidence in his abilities has driven his improvement. “Honestly, I just trust myself a little bit more,” Walker told reporters last season, crediting outfield coach Jon Jay for emphasizing the importance of trusting his first step. This mindset shift has allowed him to adjust quickly to difficult plays, such as a line drive from Zack McKinstry in the sixth inning that knuckled on him.#st_louis_cardinals #jordan_walker #javier_baez #gleyber_torres #oliver_marmol
