The St. Louis Cardinals have welcomed back catcher Iván Herrera, who was placed on the injured list after suffering a left knee bruise. Initially, there were concerns about his recovery, but Herrera’s return to the lineup has been a relief for the team. Before his injury, he was leading the Cardinals in home runs, and while he’s now one behind teammates Willson Contreras and Lars Nootbaar, his return is crucial for the offense. To manage his workload and ensure he stays healthy, Herrera will alternate between designated hitter and catcher.
First baseman Luken Baker was optioned to Triple-A Memphis to make room for Herrera. The Cardinals are keeping three catchers on the roster to provide more flexibility and reduce the strain on Herrera’s knee. Manager Oli Marmol explained that the third catcher will allow them to ease Herrera back in gradually, with a mix of DH and catching duties. Despite the extended rehab, Herrera showed signs of a full recovery, including two stolen bases in a minor league game, signaling he’s ready to return to action.
Herrera expressed his excitement to contribute, regardless of his role, acknowledging that this injury was the longest time he’s been off the field. He’s eager to make up for lost time and feels that the setback may even make him stronger. The Cardinals are hopeful that his return will have a major impact on the lineup, given his strong start to the season.
