
Catching duties have taken a toll on the St. Louis Cardinals this season, and now Iván Herrera is the latest to feel the effects. After battling back from a knee bruise earlier this year to become one of the team’s most dependable hitters, Herrera has been placed on the Injured List due to a Grade 2 strain in his left hamstring. The injury occurred during a recent doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, and he’s expected to miss between two to six weeks—likely closer to six.
Herrera had emerged as a reliable presence both at the plate and behind it, batting .320 with a .925 OPS and a 160 wRC+. His injury is a setback not just offensively, but also for a pitching staff that had grown increasingly comfortable with him behind the plate.
Earlier in the season, the Cardinals faced a so-called “good problem” with multiple capable catchers. That narrative has shifted. With Willson Contreras still limited in his catching duties and primarily playing first base to preserve his health, the team has leaned heavily on Pedro Pagés and Yohel Pozo. Pagés has been solid defensively, while Pozo delivered a recent highlight with a walk-off hit against the Reds.
The team’s demanding schedule—marked by six doubleheaders already—has made life even more difficult for catchers, who are often required to crouch through up to 18 innings in a single day. This grueling routine has likely contributed to mounting fatigue and injury risk, especially with rising summer temperatures and oppressive humidity in St. Louis.
Despite injuries to key players like Nolan Gorman and Brendan Donovan, the Cardinals have shown resilience. Gorman has been out since April with a hamstring issue, and Donovan injured his toe earlier in June. The bullpen has also had to adjust on the fly, often working with little rest.
The series of doubleheaders may be taking a long-term toll, and though weather-related postponements have eased, extreme heat could present a new challenge in the coming weeks.
Still, the Cardinals have shown grit in the face of adversity. Whether it’s cobbling together a lineup or relying on lesser-known contributors, the team has found ways to stay afloat. As the season grinds on, that resilience will be tested further—especially behind the plate.