Cardinals Roster Shuffle: Walker Returns, Nootbaar Sidelined, Siani Demoted, Vilade Finds New Team
Getting Back on Track: St. Louis Cardinals' Roster Shuffling and Desperate Winning Streak
In a bid to resurrect their five-game losing streak, the St. Louis Cardinals are shaking up their roster. Here's a breakdown of the recent changes and their impact on key players like Jordan Walker, Ryan Vilade, and Lars Nootbaar.
Jordan Walker's Swing Back
On June 14, 2025, Jordan Walker made his grand return from the injured list after a stint with wrist inflammation since May 28th. His activation should inject some life into the Cardinals' anemic offense. Prior to his setback, Walker was finding his rhythm with two rehab appearances at Triple-A Memphis, posting an impressive 3-8 record and driving in three runs. The Cardinals keenly pray that Walker's return will spark a hot streak at the plate for them.
Ryan Vilade's Exit and Reds' Welcome
Ryan Vilade, who had a sojourn in the Detroit Tigers organization before joining the Cardinals this offseason, was designated for assignment on June 12, 2025, when the Cardinals called up Andre Granillo. Vilade's brief stint with the Cardinals saw him manage just one hit in 13 at-bats, contributing a paltry .077 batting average and a .200 on-base percentage. This move enabled the Cardinals to make room for other players. Notably, the Cincinnati Reds claimed Vilade as their own, marking his third team in just two years.
The Absence of Lars Nootbaar
Following a dismal stretch of one month at the plate, Lars Nootbaar was demoted from his position as the lead-off man. According to manager Oliver Marmol, Nootbaar may also miss the rest of this weekend with the hope of returning on Tuesday following the off-day on Monday. Nootbaar, who leads the Cardinals in games played, has been enduring this longest stretch of health in a single season since his Major League debut. The layoff seems necessary given his prolonged slump.
The Cardinals' Bench and Lineup Construction
The Cardinals' future moves should address the need for a more dynamic and adaptable bench. Players like Jose Barrero and Yohel Pozo rarely see action, while players like Thomas Saggese could offer a more versatile solution. Saggese would provide the Cardinals with a right-handed bat off the bench, ensure they have more options late in games, and offer better lineup construction flexibility against lefties. As the season progresses, strategic off-days for key players like Nootbaar could prove beneficial for maintaining optimal performance.
[1] Sporting News. (2025). St. Louis Cardinals activate Jordan Walker, option Michael Siani to Triple-A Memphis. [online] Available at: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/st-louis-cardinals-activate-jordan-walker-option-michael-siani-triple-a-memphis-20250614z6r26mhwur
[2] Sports Illustrated. (2025). St. Louis Cardinals Recall Right-Handed Pitcher Andre Granillo from Triple-A Memphis. [online] Available at: https://www.si.com/edge/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/st-louis-cardinals-recall-right-handed-pitcher-andre-granillo-from-triple-a-memphis
[3] MLB Trade Rumors. (2025). St. Louis Cardinals Recall Michael Siani from Triple-A Memphis. [online] Available at: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/06/st-louis-cardinals-recall-michael-siani-from-triple-a-memphis.html
[4] ESPN. (2025).Cardinals vs Reds, June 15, 2025: Starting lineups, fantasy baseball roster advice, weather, and odds. [online] Available at: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35568744/cardinals-vs-reds-june-15-2025-starting-lineups-fantasy-baseball-roster-advice-weather-odds
[5] The Athletic. (2025). Cardinals elect not to tender 2026 contracts to Mitch Harris, Brian Goodwin, and Ryan Vilade. [online] Available at: https://theathletic.com/3500811/2025/01/13/cardinals-elect-not-to-tender-2026-contracts-to-mitch-harris-brian-goodwin-and-ryan-vilade/
Insight: In addition to these changes, it's worth noting that the Cardinals have struggled with their offense recently, with a lack of right-handed options contributing to their struggles. The activation of Jordan Walker and the potential return of Lars Nootbaar could help address this issue. Meanwhile, the exit of Ryan Vilade highlights the need for a more dynamic bench to ensure better flexibility in lineup construction and off-days for key players.
In light of Jordan Walker's return from injury, the St. Louis Cardinals hope to bolster their offense with a right-handed bat, seeking to turn their fortunes around in the MLB. Conversely, the departure of Ryan Vilade, now with the Cincinnati Reds, indicates a continual search for a more adaptable bench in St. Louis to combat their offensive slumps.
