With one of their top hitters, Ivan Herrera, heading to the injured list due to a hamstring strain, the St. Louis Cardinals are relying on several younger players to help carry the load. Herrera leads the team in key offensive categories—batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, and OPS—among players with at least 50 at-bats.
Herrera’s Breakout Campaign Cut Short
The 25-year-old catcher was having a breakout season, slashing .320/.392/.533. He had become a central figure in the middle of the Cardinals’ lineup, often batting fifth or sixth. His ability to consistently hit for average and power made him a crucial part of the team’s offensive success.
“It’s a tough loss—he’s been swinging the bat really well and was a true threat at the plate,” manager Oliver Marmol said Friday.
This marks Herrera’s second stint on the injured list this year. He previously missed a month with a bone bruise in his knee. Now, with the hamstring injury expected to sideline him for two to six weeks, the Cardinals will again be without one of their most productive bats. Herrera has collected eight home runs, eight doubles, and 36 RBIs in just 150 at-bats.
“This is just a bump in the road,” Herrera told MLB.com. “I’ll come back stronger—just like I did before.”
Filling the Gap
In response, the Cardinals are turning to a mix of young players to help replace Herrera’s production. Since Herrera started 28 games at designated hitter, his absence opens up opportunities for others to fill that spot.
One such player is Thomas Saggese, the team’s No. 5 prospect, who was called up from Triple-A Memphis on Friday. Saggese traveled to St. Louis just in time to start against the Cincinnati Reds. The 23-year-old infielder is off to a strong start in the majors, batting .333/.354/.489 in 45 at-bats. He’s versatile on defense, capable of playing second base, shortstop, or third.
Nolan Gorman and Alec Burleson are also expected to take on larger roles, especially at DH. Burleson has been a steady presence in the lineup, hitting .312/.351/.438 with seven home runs in 65 games. He also provides flexibility by playing first base and the outfield.
Gorman, meanwhile, has had an up-and-down season. Despite limited playing time due to infield depth, he’s heated up recently. Over the past month, he’s hitting .273/.365/.527 with three home runs. His overall numbers (.216/.316/.381) don’t tell the full story of his recent resurgence.
A Tough Stretch Ahead
Herrera’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. The Cardinals are in the middle of a demanding stretch—29 games in 30 days. It also came one day after their sixth doubleheader of the season, leading to scheduled rest days for key players like Willson Contreras and Nolan Arenado.
Still, the team managed to secure a 6-1 win over the Reds despite the adversity. However, their recent form has slipped. After posting MLB’s best record in May, they’ve stumbled in June with an 8-10 record so far. Once second in the division and holding a Wild Card spot, they now find themselves tied with the Milwaukee Brewers, with the Reds close behind.
“We’re in a long season, and it’s not always smooth,” Marmol said. “But this gives guys like Gorman a chance to step up and show what they can do. It’s not ideal, but we’ll make the most of it.”
To stay competitive, the Cardinals will need Burleson and Gorman to continue producing offensively, and for Saggese to remain sharp in his big-league opportunities. The schedule won’t make it easy—seven of their next 15 games are against the first-place Chicago Cubs, a team they haven’t yet faced this season.
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