CARDINALS ANNOUNCE OPENING DAY ROSTER
St. Louis — Derrick Goold | March 22, 2025
The Cardinals opening day roster will feature six rookies. For now, Arendado is on the roster as the team looks at trade options.
ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals released their 2026 Opening Day roster this morning, and it’s a group that blends youth, upside, and uncertainty. The biggest storyline: Nolan Arenado remains on the roster — for now. Team officials have acknowledged that the All-Star third baseman is expected to be traded at some point this season as the franchise leans fully into its youth movement under Chaim Bloom and new manager Yadier Molina. But for Opening Day, Arenado’s name is still on the lineup card.
Around him stands one of the most intriguing rosters the Cardinals have fielded in years — a pitching staff overflowing with young arms, a lineup anchored by rising stars, and a bench full of developing depth. It’s not a finished product, but it’s a roster built for growth, energy, and a new era. A focus on using the farm system developing within instead of bringing in veterans to fill patches.
On the mound Hence and McGreevy headline the rotation — two homegrown arms the club believes can grow into frontline roles. Chris Carpenter talked about these two in spring training as "workhorses ready to eat" and two pitchers he can see the club building around in years to come. Liberatore enters the season needing to prove he belongs in the long-term picture, while Fitts and Pallante round out a rotation as two players the club is not fully decided on yet. Pallante has shown he can be a back of the rotation pitcher while Fitts arrived this winter from Boston in a trade for Sonny Gray.
The bullpen is a mix of hard throwers, command specialists, and left-right versatility. Romero returns as the lone established reliever, and will be the closer to start the season, but Granillo, Mathews, and Raquet are names the front office sees as future late-inning fixtures.
Winn returns as one of the biggest building blocks in the organization, fresh off a breakout season at shortstop. Donovan remains the Swiss-army knife who fits anywhere Molina needs him. Saggese impressed enough in the spring to claim a roster spot, bringing bat-to-ball skills and infield versatility. Nolan Gorman has been rumored in trades but for now, the club has decided to keep Gorman as a potential Arenado replacement at third or a second baseman if Donovan moves to the corner spot.
In the minors, Wetherholt was the 7th overall pick in 2024 and is knocking at the door to be called up. Along with Jose Fermín who has already had a tastes of the pros. Both will be candidates to come up when Arenado goes.
The outfield is a mix of players still needing to prove they belong and players growing in their potential. Scott II is a speedy centerfielder that provides the defense the Cardinals need and a base stealing option. Nootbaar showed break out potential, but injuries have derailed his career. With young prospects Chase Davis, Matt Koperniak and Nathan Church showing they are ready to step up, the likes of Nootbaar and Jordan Walker need to prove they belong this season.
The Cardinals aren’t calling this a rebuild — they’re calling it a reset. A return to development, athleticism, and pitching depth. A roster built on internal growth rather than external patches. It’s a group that may have growing pains, but it finally looks like a clear, committed direction.
Arenado remains in red for now, but the story of the season will be written by those stepping into the future. Opening Day marks the start. Now it’s time to see which of these young Cardinals are ready to take flight.
| 3 | 7 | 0 | L: Topa (0-1) 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R
| 4 | 10 | 3 | W: Svanson (1-0) 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 4 SO | S: O'Brien (1)
| 2 | 7 | 0 | L: Hendricks (0-1) 1.2 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 3 BB
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