After more than a month on the injured list due to a left knee bone bruise, catcher Ivan Herrera has rejoined the St. Louis Cardinals’ active roster. However, questions linger about when—or if—he will resume regular duties behind the plate.
Herrera was activated on May 9, 2025, and made an immediate impact as the designated hitter, going 1-for-4 with an RBI double and a sacrifice fly in a 10-0 victory over the Washington Nationals. Despite his return, the Cardinals have not committed to a clear timeline for his resumption of catching responsibilities.
Manager Oli Marmol’s comments have been notably vague. When asked about Herrera’s return to catching, Marmol simply stated, “He will catch,” without providing further details. This lack of specificity has left fans and analysts speculating about the team’s plans for Herrera’s role moving forward.
During Herrera’s absence, Pedro Pages and Yohel Pozo have handled catching duties. Pages, known for his defensive prowess, has thrown out 32% of base stealers and contributed a .245 batting average with 14 RBIs. Pozo has also provided solid offense, making the decision to carry three catchers on the active roster a strategic one for the Cardinals.
Herrera’s performance during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis was promising. Over six games, he batted .391 with a .956 OPS, including a home run and four RBIs. Despite this, the team appears to be exercising caution, possibly due to lingering concerns about his knee.
The decision to keep three catchers on the roster suggests the Cardinals are taking a measured approach to Herrera’s reintegration, balancing the need for his offensive contributions with the importance of his long-term health. As the season progresses, the team will likely continue to evaluate Herrera’s readiness to resume full catching duties.
For now, Herrera’s role remains primarily as a designated hitter, especially against left-handed pitchers, while Pages and Pozo share responsibilities behind the plate. The situation remains fluid, and fans will be watching closely to see how the Cardinals manage their catching rotation in the coming weeks.
