The St. Louis Cardinals are finishing another disappointing season, falling short of expectations despite having a roster filled with proven talent. The franchise hasn’t won a playoff series since 2019, when they advanced past the Atlanta Braves before being swept by the Washington Nationals. They reached the postseason up through 2023 but were eliminated in the Wild Card round each time. Now, they face a third straight year without playoff baseball.
This week, the Cardinals received word on star slugger Willson Contreras, who is managing a mild biceps strain. The team plans to evaluate him over the next 48 hours, using Thursday’s off day to reassess. A clearer update on his availability is expected Friday.
Contreras has been one of the lineup’s bright spots. After a slow start, he has posted a .257 batting average with 20 home runs, 80 RBIs, and an OPS of .791. Just yesterday, he went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, determined to finish the season strong.
The injury setback is especially concerning given the Cardinals’ recent struggles with player health. Masyn Winn, for example, returned from a knee issue earlier in the year only to suffer another setback that shut him down for the rest of the 2025 season. His situation highlights the challenges the team has faced in keeping its young core on the field.
Contreras, 33, remains under contract on a five-year, $87.5 million deal signed in 2022, with a club option for 2028 and potential free agency in 2029. While he is still central to the Cardinals’ long-term plans, St. Louis sits at 73–78 and is likely to finish below .500 again, leaving major questions about the franchise’s direction moving forward.
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