ST. LOUIS ¨C Insistent a night earlier that he wanted nothing to do with going on the 10-day injured list for the first time in his MLB career, shortstop Masyn Winn finally relented on Saturday in hopes of getting beyond the back spasms that knocked him out of Friday¡¯s game.
Winn, whose back spasmed following a stellar defensive play in the first inning of Friday¡¯s 2-0 win over the Phillies, was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday. The move wasn¡¯t made until 2 1/2 hours before first pitch of the Cardinals' 4-1 loss after the 23-year-old shortstop showed up to Busch Stadium and reported little progress in the tightness of his back.
St. Louis hit into five double plays in Saturday's loss. It was the first time the Cardinals have hit into that many in a game since April 27, 2011.
The Cardinals stressed to Winn that they would prefer him to rest and rehabilitate his back over the next 10 days instead of doing something that might cause the injury to linger throughout the season.
¡°He¡¯s a competitor, but at the same time once we talked through it, he was like, ¡®Man, I get it, but if this was a different time of year I¡¯d really push. But I understand that it¡¯s better to get this behind us and get it feeling good instead of letting this linger a couple of months,¡¯¡± Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said of the conversation with the shortstop. ¡°So he definitely understood that.¡±
Lefty slugger Nolan Gorman, who strained his right hamstring on April 1, was activated off the 10-day IL to replace Winn on the active roster.
Winn, who was hampered by back issues early in 2024 in an otherwise stellar rookie season, came into this season hoping to play in all 162 games. Accordingly, the Cardinals structured their roster in a way where reserve outfielder Michael Siani made the team over utility infielders Jos¨¦ Ferm¨ªn and Jose Barrero.
That decision, of course, left the Cardinals vulnerable when Winn¡¯s back locked up in Friday¡¯s first inning. Winn, who led all MLB shortstops in defensive runs saved (14) in 2024, per Fielding Bible, came across the diamond to field a high chopper, avoid the second-base bag and throw to first to retire the speedy Trea Turner. Winn knew immediately he was going to have to leave the game, but he stayed in for one more out before seeking medical attention in the dugout.
¡°It was similar [to the spasms of 2024]. Last year was actually a little bit worse,¡± Winn said after Friday¡¯s game. ¡°I¡¯ve just got to get through this one after the muscles spasmed up. ¡ I¡¯m probably out for [Saturday], but hopefully it feels better in a couple of days.¡±
Winn admitted on Friday night that he had been dealing with stiffness and soreness in his back for multiple weeks. The injury could have played a part in the slow start to the season for Winn, who finished second in MLB in two-strike hits (80) in 2024. After struggling throughout Spring Training and being bumped out of the leadoff spot in the order, Winn opened the regular season 0-for-18 with eight strikeouts. He had steadied himself of late ¨C he hit .370 over his past 30 plate appearances ¨C to put him at .222 with one home run and three RBIs on the season.
The Cardinals finished Friday¡¯s game with Thomas Saggese at shortstop, and the second-year infielder was in the starting lineup for Saturday¡¯s game against the Phillies. Marmol hinted that a roster move could come in the next few days if the team needs more protection at shortstop. Brendan Donovan, the team¡¯s starter at second base who was slotted in at designated hitter on Friday, can also play shortstop in case of an emergency.
Gorman, who dealt with serious back injury concerns early in his career, was eager to return from a hamstring injury that he deemed to be ¡°super mild¡± last week. The Cardinals debated sending Gorman on a Minor League rehab assignment to help him get his timing back, but his running work and batting practice sessions in the cage convinced the club he was ready to return.
¡°[On Friday] he was really pushing and not wanting to miss a whole lot of time and not needing at-bats with what he was doing [in the batting cages] and his running progression stuff,¡± Marmol said. ¡°So he¡¯s happy that we¡¯re not stringing this along and sending him down to get at-bats. ¡ Even with this [Winn] move today, [Gorman] was pushing to be back. Even if this [Winn injury] didn¡¯t happen, he was really pushing us to be back today. So it worked out where we could make the move.¡±