The St. Louis Cardinals have been dealt a significant setback as red-hot catcher Iván Herrera has been placed on the 10-day injured list after suffering a Grade 2 strain to his left hamstring. The injury comes at a critical juncture in the season, with the Cardinals embarking on a pivotal stretch of games that could shape their postseason aspirations.
Herrera, who has been in excellent form at the plate, sustained the injury while running the bases during the recent series. After undergoing imaging tests, the severity of the strain was confirmed, sidelining him for an estimated 2–6 weeks. His absence leaves a notable void both offensively and defensively, as he had been providing key hits and solid work behind the plate in recent weeks.
In response to the injury, the Cardinals have called up infielder Thomas Saggese from Triple-A Memphis to reinforce their roster. While not a direct catching replacement, Saggese’s versatility offers the team some much-needed flexibility as they adjust to Herrera’s absence.
The timing of the injury could not be worse for the Cardinals, who are set to face a series of important matchups in the coming weeks. Currently riding a four-game winning streak and sitting in strong position in the National League Central standings, the team will need others to step up, particularly backup catcher Pedro Pagés, who will likely see increased playing time.
Despite this challenge, the Cardinals remain optimistic about maintaining their momentum, especially with starting pitchers like Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas leading the rotation. However, Herrera’s impact, especially with his bat in the middle of the lineup, will certainly be missed.
Manager Oliver Marmol expressed confidence in the team’s depth but acknowledged the loss:
“Iván has been a spark for us—tough to lose him right now. But this group knows how to rally,” he said.
As Herrera begins his rehabilitation, the Cardinals hope for a swift recovery as they continue to push for a postseason berth.
