The St. Louis Cardinals suffered a setback on Friday as catcher and designated hitter Iván Herrera was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a strained left hamstring. Herrera has been diagnosed with a grade two strain and was informed by team doctors that his recovery could take anywhere from two to six weeks. This timing could coincide with the MLB trade deadline on July 31, meaning the Cardinals will face critical decisions without one of their top hitters available.
To fill Herrera’s spot on the active roster, the Cardinals called up infielder Thomas Saggese from Triple-A Memphis. Herrera has been a key offensive player, leading the team with a .925 OPS and an OPS+ of 157, indicating production well above the league average. Despite missing a month earlier in the season due to a knee bone bruise, he remains third on the team with eight home runs.
Herrera described the injury as happening while trying to stretch a hit into a double. Although he stayed in the game briefly for defensive play, discomfort forced him to leave before the game’s end. Initial hopes for a quick recovery were dashed when a scan confirmed the tear, prompting the Cardinals to activate Saggese quickly.
Manager Oli Marmol expressed disappointment over losing Herrera but emphasized the need to adapt. He praised Herrera’s strong offensive contributions and acknowledged that this presents an opportunity for other players to step up during the grueling 162-game season. Herrera’s role has also been evolving, as the team manages his playing time behind the plate and relies more on Pedro Pagés.
Saggese, who primarily plays shortstop but is capable at second and third base, has previously been on the roster this season and performed well in a prior stint. At 23, he is batting .317 with an .847 OPS and five home runs in the minors. Marmol highlighted Saggese’s versatility as a key asset during this challenging stretch, allowing the team to give rest days to others who are dealing with injuries.
The Cardinals are currently navigating a difficult June, and replacing Herrera’s offensive output will be a challenge. During the month Herrera missed earlier this year, the team’s slugging and run production dropped significantly. For the full season, Herrera remains a central offensive figure.
Herrera expressed relief that he can still return this season if he takes the necessary time to heal, noting the risk of a longer absence if he had continued playing on the injury. He remains optimistic about recovering and contributing for the rest of the year.
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