The Cardinals are set to activate veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado before tomorrow night’s matchup with the Reds, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Since Arenado has been on the 10-day injured list, the team will only need to make a roster move to open an active spot for him.
Arenado, 34, was one of the most talked-about trade candidates of the 2024-25 offseason. Both the Astros and Red Sox were linked to him in trade discussions, but he ultimately stayed in St. Louis after blocking a deal to Houston and with Boston instead signing Alex Bregman.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, his fifth year with the club has been the weakest of his career so far. Through 96 games, he’s hitting just .235/.294/.366 with ten home runs.
That level of production is disappointing for any regular big leaguer, but especially for an eight-time All-Star and multiple-time MVP finalist. His struggles at the plate have coincided with a drop-off in the field as well.
Once a perennial Gold Glove winner—he won the award ten straight years—Arenado has posted just +2 Outs Above Average this season. His +6 Defensive Runs Saved looks better, but only ties him for eighth among MLB third basemen.
The Cardinals’ team performance hasn’t been much better. Sitting at 72–77, they’re in fourth place in the division and appear headed for another losing season—two under-.500 finishes in the last three years, with only last year’s 83–79 record breaking the trend.
Compounding the uncertainty is the upcoming leadership change, as longtime president of baseball operations John Mozeliak is stepping down after this year, with former Red Sox executive Chaim Bloom set to succeed him.
In the meantime, St. Louis hopes to close the season strong, now with Arenado back from the shoulder strain that sidelined him since late July.
Nolan Gorman has been filling in at third base during his absence, but with Arenado’s return, Gorman is likely to split time at second base with Brendan Donovan and could also see some at-bats at DH, occasionally pushing Ivan Herrera out of the lineup.
Gorman, who missed time himself with an injury around the All-Star break, owns a 95 wRC+ on the season and has struggled offensively since his return in August.
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