True fans know that there is no end to Cardinals baseball -- even after the season ends and the playoffs wrap up. This space will be the home for all injury news for the Cards, providing updates on physical ailments that players are dealing with in the days, weeks and months leading up to Spring Training 2025.

LATEST NEWS

Nov. 1: Cardinals claim RHP Roddery Muñoz, add him to their 40-man roster
Muñoz, 24, was claimed off waivers from the Marlins on Friday and added to the Cardinals 40-man roster. Muñoz is a native of the Dominican Republic who made his MLB debut on April 20 with the Marlins.

After pitching in the Minor Leagues for six seasons with the Braves, Nats and Marlins, Muñoz reached the big leagues in 2024 and struggled in 18 games (17 starts). Not only was he 2-7 with a 6.53 ERA, but he also allowed 26 home runs and 42 walks in 82 2/3 innings pitched. Muñoz led MLB pitchers with at least 80 innings pitched in homers allowed per nine innings (2.8) and was tied for third in walks per nine innings (4.6).

Oct. 31: 1B Paul Goldschmidt becomes a free agent
Goldschmidt, 37, could be headed for another MLB team after concluding his sixth season with the Cardinals and becoming a free agent. The Cardinals have until 4 p.m. CT on Monday to offer Goldschmidt a Qualifying Offer, but the club does not intend to do so, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said on Oct. 31. Goldschmidt told MLB.com in August that he intends on playing again in 2025 and that he has not contemplated retirement. Goldschmidt, the NL MVP in 2022, hit a career-worst .245 with 22 home runs and 65 RBI in 154 games this past season.

Oct. 31: RHP Andrew Kittredge becomes a free agent
Kittredge, 34, becomes a free agent following his first season with the Cardinals. The middle reliever, who finished second in MLB in holds this past season with 37, was acquired on Jan. 5 in a trade with the Rays. He was 5-5 with a 2.80 ERA and one save while appearing in 74 games. His success as a setup man helped teammate Ryan Helsley set the club record for saves with 49 in 2024.

Oct. 31: DH/1B Matt Carpenter becomes a free agent; hopes for a return
Carpenter, 38, becomes a free agent following his second stint with the Cardinals. Carpenter starred for the Cardinals from 2011-21 before going on to play for the Yankees and Padres. This past season, Carpenter appeared in 59 games and hit .234 with four home runs, seven doubles and 15 RBI. Carpenter said he is hopeful of playing at least one more MLB season.

Oct. 31: Cardinals decline team option on RHP Kyle Gibson
Gibson, 37, became a free agent when the Cardinals declined to pick up his $12 million option for the 2025 season. Per his contract, Gibson is owed $1 million when the Cardinals refused his option for next season. Gibson, a former college standout at Missouri and an offseason resident of suburban St. Louis, was 8-8 with a 4.24 ERA over 30 starts, the second most starts on the squad in 2024.

Oct. 31: Cardinals decline team option on RHP Lance Lynn
Lynn, 37, became a free agent when the Cardinals declined to pick up his $11 million option for the 2025 season. Per his contract, Lynn is owed $1 million after the Cardinals declined his option for next season. The veteran right-hander was back in St. Louis for a second stint after coming up through the Cardinals Minor League System and pitching for the Redbirds from 2011-17. This past season, Lynn passed career innings pitched (2,006 1/3) and strikeouts (2,015) milestones and went 7-4 with a 3.84 ERA over 117.1 innings pitched. Also, Lynn went 6-0 with a 3.15 ERA in 13 starts at Busch Stadium.

Oct. 31: Cardinals decline team option on RHP Keynan Middleton
Middleton, 31, became a free agent when the Cardinals declined to pick up his $6 million option for the 2025 season. Per his contract, the right-handed reliever is owed $1 million after the Cardinals declined his option for next season. Middleton was expected to be a key piece of the Cardinals bullpen following his strong 2023 season with the White Sox and Yankees. However, he strained the flexor tendon ligament in his right forearm in Spring Training and never pitched in the big leagues in 2024. He appeared in five games over two rehab stints with Double-A Springfield before undergoing season-ending surgery on his right forearm. Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said on Oct. 31 that the club might have an interest in bringing Middleton back to their bullpen if there’s a need when he’s ready to return to pitching.

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INJURY UPDATES

C/DH Willson Contreras (fractured right middle finger)
Expected return: 2025
Contreras, who fractured the middle finger on his right hand on Aug. 24 when a pitch hit him, was shut down for the season on Sept. 16. The Cardinals hoped that he would be able to return to action without surgery, and while he did avoid the surgery, his recovery timeline ended up being too long to make it back before the season ended.

Contreras also missed seven weeks earlier in the year when he fractured his left forearm after getting hit by the bat of Mets slugger J.D. Martinez. In 84 games, Contreras led the Cardinals with an .848 OPS, hitting .262 with 15 home runs and 36 RBIs. The veteran catcher is expected to be ready for the start of Spring Training in February. (Last updated: Sept. 29)

RHP Sonny Gray (right forearm flexor tendinitis)
Expected return: 2025
With the Cardinals out of the playoff chase, the club shut its ace down for the remainder of the season in late September because of forearm tendinitis. Gray -- who signed a three-year, $75 million deal with St. Louis in the 2023-24 offseason -- led the rotation in wins (13), strikeouts (203) and WHIP (1.09). (Last updated: Sept. 29)

LHP JoJo Romero (left forearm flexor tendon inflammation)
Expected return: 2025
Romero was shelved with left forearm flexor tendon inflammation on Sept. 25. Rather than have him push through the pain and stiffness that he was feeling, the Cards thought it wise for the lefty reliever to shut down his career year. The 28-year-old setup man went 7-3 with one save and a 3.36 ERA over 65 appearances. (Last updated: Sept. 29)

RHP Lance Lynn (right knee irritation)
Expected return: 2025
Lynn’s season ended on Sept. 18, when the Cardinals put him on the 15-day IL one day after he limited the Pirates to four hits and one earned run over six innings in a 3-1 victory.

Lynn, who spent five weeks on the IL with right knee irritation in August and early September, knew that his Sept. 17 start would be his last of the season, and he wanted it to be at Busch Stadium. He was 6-0 this season at home, a place where he has not lost since July 4, 2017 (a stretch of 21 straight starts). Lynn, 37, has a team option in his contract for 2025, but he has said he could consider retirement. (Last updated: Sept. 29)

LHP Drew Rom (left shoulder surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Rom, who was acquired in August 2023 from the Orioles in a trade that involved Jack Flaherty, did not pitch in '24 after suffering a left shoulder injury during Spring Training. He made three spring starts before being put on the injured list. Rom made his MLB debut in '23 with the Cardinals and notched his first and only MLB win against the Orioles. The Cards are confident that Rom will be ready for Spring Training 2025. (Last updated: Sept. 29)

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