The Cardinals are set to activate veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado ahead of tomorrow night’s matchup against the Reds, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Since Arenado has been on the ten-day injured list, only a corresponding roster move will be required to make room for him.
At 34, Arenado was one of the most discussed trade candidates during the 2024–25 offseason. Although teams such as the Astros and Red Sox reportedly explored deals for him, Arenado remained in St. Louis after blocking a trade to Houston and Boston ultimately pivoting toward signing Alex Bregman. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, Arenado’s fifth season in St. Louis has been one of his most disappointing. Over 96 games, he’s hit just .235/.294/.366 with ten home runs.
That level of offensive production is well below expectations for a player of Arenado’s caliber—an eight-time All-Star and multiple-time MVP finalist. His defensive performance has also dipped; the ten-time consecutive NL Gold Glove winner recorded only +2 Outs Above Average at third base this season. His +6 Defensive Runs Saved is slightly better but still leaves him tied for eighth among major league third basemen.
The Cardinals’ season overall has mirrored Arenado’s struggles. With a 72-77 record, St. Louis sits fourth in its division and appears unlikely to reach .500, marking their second sub-.500 campaign in three years after an 83-79 finish last season. Adding to the organizational transition, longtime president of baseball operations John Mozeliak will step aside after this season, handing control to Chaim Bloom, the former Red Sox chief baseball officer announced as his successor last year.
As the team looks to close out the season on a positive note, Arenado’s return from a shoulder strain sustained in late July will be a key piece. Nolan Gorman filled in at third base during Arenado’s absence, but with the veteran back, Gorman is expected to rotate with utility man Brendan Donovan at second base and possibly see occasional starts away from DH Ivan Herrera. Gorman, who has a 95 wRC+ on the year, has struggled offensively since returning from an injury around the All-Star break.
