The St. Louis Cardinals have been dealt an important pitching setback at a crucial point in the season, with Andre Pallante landing on the 15-day injured list because of elbow inflammation.
Pallante will miss his scheduled Saturday start against the Philadelphia Phillies, forcing St. Louis to adjust its rotation heading into a pivotal three-game series.
The Cardinals said there is no structural damage to Pallante’s elbow, but the club believes giving him time to rest is the best course of action. The move is nevertheless significant, particularly with Pallante enjoying a career-best season and the Cardinals fighting to remain in the postseason race.
Quinn Mathews Steps Into the Rotation
With Pallante unavailable, pitching prospect Quinn Mathews will take the ball Saturday. It will be just the third start of Mathews’ young Major League career.
Kyle Leahy is scheduled to start Sunday’s series finale. Leahy has emerged as a major bright spot for St. Louis during the second half of the season, giving the Cardinals another option as they navigate the sudden rotation disruption.
Ryan Fernandez has also been called up from Memphis to provide additional bullpen depth.
The Cardinals had largely avoided major injuries to their starting rotation this season. Pallante’s placement on the IL marks the first time since Sonny Gray in September 2024 that a St. Louis starting pitcher has been placed on the injured list.
Masyn Winn Could Be Back Soon
There was better news concerning shortstop Masyn Winn.
The Gold Glove-winning defender has been dealing with a jammed thumb suffered during the Cardinals’ series against the Cincinnati Reds. Winn was held out of Thursday’s lineup, although he entered the game as a pinch-runner, and he was again out of the lineup Friday.
However, St. Louis expects Winn to return Saturday.
While Winn remains unavailable, JJ Wetherholt has been filling in at shortstop, with Bryan Torres moving to second base.
A Significant Blow at a Crucial Time
Pallante’s absence comes at an especially important moment for the Cardinals. With the Phillies series carrying major postseason implications, St. Louis will need its replacement starters to deliver quality innings while Pallante recovers.
The encouraging news is that the Cardinals are not dealing with structural damage. Still, the team expects Pallante to spend at least the minimum 15 days on the injured list, meaning his return will depend on how his elbow responds to rest and recovery.
For now, the Cardinals will have to rely on Mathews, Leahy and the rest of their pitching staff to absorb the innings.
Winn’s expected return provides some immediate defensive relief, but Pallante’s absence
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