With Opening Day rapidly approaching, the St. Louis Cardinals are entering the final stages of their spring training roster decisions. The regular season is almost here, and the organization has begun narrowing down the group of players who will travel north with the team. With fewer than two weeks remaining before the start of the 2026 campaign, every move made in camp carries greater significance, and competition for the remaining roster spots has intensified.
As part of that process, the Cardinals announced another series of roster reductions on Sunday. These moves represent a common step during the closing stretch of spring training as teams finalize their lineups, pitching staffs, and bench depth ahead of Opening Day. The Cardinals are currently preparing for their season opener on March 26, when they will take the field against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Sunday’s announcement included the removal of seven players from major league camp. Each of them had been participating in big league spring training, hoping to make a strong impression on the coaching staff and earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. While none ultimately secured a place on the initial squad, their time in camp still provided valuable opportunities to gain experience and demonstrate their abilities against major league competition.
Among the players reassigned was right-handed pitcher Luis Gastellum. Gastellum had been working to show that he could contribute depth to the Cardinals’ pitching staff, but the team determined that he would not be part of the immediate roster plans. His departure from major league camp reflects the organization’s need to streamline its group of pitchers as it moves closer to finalizing the bullpen and starting rotation.
Another right-hander, Gerson Moreno, was also included in the round of cuts. Moreno had been competing alongside several other pitchers during spring training in hopes of carving out a role on the pitching staff. While he showed flashes of potential during camp, the Cardinals ultimately decided to send him elsewhere as they continue to refine the composition of their bullpen.
MORE: Cardinals Officially Land Superstar Pitching Prospect
Left-handed pitcher Packy Naughton was also among the players reassigned. Naughton has had previous experience at the major league level and entered spring training hoping to position himself as a possible option for the Cardinals’ pitching staff. Despite his efforts, the organization opted to move in a different direction for now as it trims the roster ahead of the regular season.
In addition to the pitchers who were cut, the Cardinals also made moves involving several position players. Outfielder Matt Koperniak was one of those reassigned from big league camp. Koperniak had been looking to earn a role as an outfield option, potentially providing depth behind the team’s projected starters. Although he did not make the Opening Day roster, his time in spring training allowed him to gain exposure and continue developing within the organization.
The Cardinals also reassigned infielder Blaze Jordan. Jordan, who has been viewed as an intriguing young talent in the system, had the opportunity to work alongside established major league players during spring training. The experience of being in big league camp can be an important step in a young player’s development, even if they ultimately begin the season in the minors.
Jeremy Rivas, another infielder, was also included among the roster cuts. Rivas had been competing for a potential role as a depth option in the infield. Like the other players reassigned on Sunday, he will now continue his development outside of major league camp as the organization prepares its final roster.
The final player included in the group of cuts was right-handed pitcher Ryan Fernandez. Fernandez had been part of the mix of pitchers trying to earn a place on the team’s staff for the upcoming season. With the Cardinals reducing their camp roster, he was among those sent out as the team inches closer to determining its final pitching group.
MORE: “Upgrade from Brett Baty” Mets trade for $90 million WBC superstar
These moves are a routine but necessary aspect of spring training for every major league team. Throughout camp, organizations typically invite more players than they can realistically carry on the Opening Day roster. As the regular season approaches, teams must gradually reduce that number until they reach the official roster limit.
For the Cardinals, these cuts represent another step in shaping the team that will begin the season later this month. The coaching staff and front office have spent weeks evaluating players in various situations, including exhibition games, bullpen sessions, and live batting practice. Each performance has played a role in determining which players remain in contention for the final roster spots.
The timing of these decisions also reflects the team’s preparation schedule. With the season opener against the Rays fast approaching, the Cardinals want their projected Opening Day players to receive the majority of playing time during the final days of spring training. This allows the coaching staff to fine-tune strategies, establish roles, and ensure that the team enters the season in the best possible rhythm.
While being cut from major league camp can be disappointing for the players involved, it does not necessarily close the door on their chances of contributing later in the season. Injuries, performance fluctuations, and other circumstances often create opportunities throughout a long 162-game schedule. Players who begin the year outside the major league roster frequently find themselves called up at some point during the season.
For younger players, especially prospects like Blaze Jordan, the experience of participating in big league camp can be extremely beneficial. Working alongside veteran players, facing major league pitching, and receiving instruction from big league coaches can all contribute to a player’s long-term development.
As the Cardinals continue trimming their roster in the coming days, more decisions will inevitably follow. The team still has to finalize several areas, including bullpen roles and bench positions. Every remaining exhibition game offers players another opportunity to strengthen their case before the roster is locked in.
Ultimately, Sunday’s roster cuts highlight the final stretch of preparation for the Cardinals as they gear up for the start of the regular season. With Opening Day against the Rays looming on March 26, the organization is steadily narrowing its focus to the group of players who will represent the team when the games officially begin to count.
The Cardinals had a busy day on Sunday
As Spring Training progresses each year, roster reductions become a routine part of preparing for the regular season. Teams invite a large number of players to camp—major leaguers, prospects, and non-roster invitees alike—but as Opening Day draws closer, difficult decisions must be made to narrow the group down to the final roster. The latest round of cuts announced on Sunday fits squarely into that annual process. Much like many of the roster moves made earlier in camp, these seven departures were largely expected and didn’t create much surprise among observers or fans.
While none of the decisions seemed particularly shocking on the surface, one move did stand out slightly more than the others. Left-handed pitcher Packy Naughton being sent down caught some attention, not because it was unexpected, but because of how well he had performed during camp and the potential he still holds for the organization. Even so, his reassignment is more about timing and roster construction than it is about performance. Naughton remains someone who could very well factor into the club’s plans later in the 2026 season.
MORE: Amid Rojas’ Suspension, Phillies Officially Add Interesting Name To Roster
Throughout Spring Training, Naughton quietly put together a solid showing. He appeared in six games for St. Louis during camp and delivered impressive results in limited action. Over the course of six innings pitched, the left-hander allowed very little damage, finishing with a strong 1.50 ERA. While the sample size was small—as is often the case during spring appearances—it was still encouraging to see him pitch effectively and demonstrate that he is healthy again after previous setbacks.
Naughton is not a stranger to the big leagues, either. Across three seasons, he has appeared in 37 Major League games, giving him a respectable amount of experience at the highest level of the sport. However, he hasn’t stepped onto a Major League mound since the 2023 season. That gap is partly due to circumstances beyond his control, including injuries that disrupted his ability to build momentum within the organization.
Looking back at his most recent professional season before the injury, Naughton performed well in the minor leagues. During the 2024 campaign, he appeared in 15 games while pitching at the minor league level. Over those outings, he posted a strong 2.21 ERA across 20 1/3 innings of work. Those numbers suggested he was beginning to reestablish himself as a reliable arm capable of contributing depth to the organization’s pitching staff.
Unfortunately, his progress was halted the following year. Naughton was unable to pitch at all during the 2025 season because of an injury that sidelined him for the entire year. Missing a full season is never easy for any player, particularly a pitcher trying to regain traction in his career. Long layoffs can disrupt development, affect conditioning, and make the path back to the majors more challenging.
Because of that context, simply seeing Naughton return to the mound during Spring Training in 2026 represented an important step forward. His ability to stay healthy throughout camp was, in many ways, the most encouraging sign for both the player and the organization. Health is often the first hurdle after a long recovery process, and Naughton cleared that hurdle by participating fully in camp activities and pitching effectively when given opportunities.
If he is able to maintain that health and carry the positive momentum he showed during Spring Training into the regular season, there is a very real possibility that he will find himself back in the Major Leagues at some point during 2026. The most likely path for him will begin at Triple-A, where he can continue to build innings, sharpen his command, and demonstrate that he is ready for another opportunity. For pitchers in particular, the long Major League season almost always creates opportunities as teams deal with injuries, workload management, and performance fluctuations.
In that sense, Naughton’s reassignment should not be viewed as a setback so much as part of the normal process. Many players who start the season in the minor leagues eventually make meaningful contributions later in the year. Considering how well he performed during camp and the resilience he has shown in returning from injury, Naughton appears to be positioning himself as one of those potential call-up options if the team needs pitching help during the season.
Beyond the individual storylines of players like Naughton, the Cardinals still have important decisions to make before the regular season begins. Opening Day is scheduled for March 26, when St. Louis will begin the new campaign with a matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays. With that date rapidly approaching, the organization will continue trimming down the roster until the final group is set.
At this stage of Spring Training, certain areas of the roster have already begun to take shape. However, there are still a few positions where the outcome remains uncertain. Two of the most notable areas where questions linger are left field and the bullpen.
MORE: Cardinals Officially Made Handful of Surprise Roster Cuts
The situation in left field, in particular, remains somewhat fluid. Several players are still in big league camp competing for opportunities, and the team appears to be evaluating multiple options before making a final decision. Among those still in the mix are Nelson Velázquez, Thomas Saggese, José Fermín, and Nathan Church. Each of these players brings a slightly different skill set to the table, which makes the competition even more interesting as camp continues.
Velázquez, for example, has shown power potential in the past and could provide offensive upside if he earns the role. Saggese is known for his versatility and could offer value in multiple areas depending on how the roster ultimately shakes out. Fermín brings infield experience but could potentially factor into different lineup combinations depending on the team’s needs. Church, meanwhile, represents another intriguing option whose performance in camp could influence the coaching staff’s decision-making process.
Because several viable candidates remain in contention, the final decision regarding left field may not be made until the very end of camp. Teams often prefer to gather as much information as possible before committing to a specific player, particularly when the competition is close.
The bullpen picture is even more complicated. Projecting which pitchers will ultimately make the Opening Day relief corps is never an easy task, especially when multiple arms are competing for a limited number of spots. Spring Training performances can influence these decisions, but other factors—such as roster flexibility, options, and long-term planning—also play a role.
Adding to the complexity is the fact that the Cardinals currently have several starting pitching options as well. With six potential starters in the mix, the organization must determine not only who will fill the rotation but also how the remaining pitchers might fit into other roles. In some cases, pitchers who narrowly miss out on rotation spots may transition to the bullpen, further intensifying the competition among relievers.
Because of all these variables, predicting the final bullpen configuration remains difficult at this point in camp. Injuries, workload considerations, and strategic planning could all influence how the team ultimately assembles its pitching staff.
MORE: “Absolutely Stunning” Dustin May Fire Up Cardinals Fans
The recent roster cuts, including Naughton’s reassignment, represent another step toward resolving those uncertainties. Each move brings the team closer to its final roster while also clarifying which players will begin the season at different levels of the organization.
As Opening Day draws nearer, the pace of roster decisions will likely accelerate. More players will be optioned to the minor leagues or reassigned to minor league camp, and the group remaining in Major League camp will gradually shrink. By the time the Cardinals take the field against the Rays on March 26, the roster will reflect weeks of evaluation, competition, and careful planning by the organization’s leadership.
For now, though, the process continues. The seven roster cuts announced on Sunday may not have generated headlines, but they are part of the larger effort to shape the team for the upcoming season. Every decision—whether it involves a veteran pitcher like Naughton or a young player competing for a position—helps move the Cardinals one step closer to finalizing their roster.
With just days remaining before the regular season begins, the stakes of each decision grow higher. The Cardinals still have some important choices to make, particularly regarding left field and the bullpen. But with each round of cuts, the picture becomes a little clearer as the organization prepares for the start of another Major League season.
Be the first to comment