Nolan Arenado’s Return Brings Relief to Cardinals Fans, But Not All Lineup Decisions Are Sitting Well
After a long and uncertain wait, Nolan Arenado has finally returned to the St. Louis Cardinals lineup. The star third baseman’s presence has brought a sense of relief to fans who have been eagerly anticipating his return since his trade from the Colorado Rockies in the offseason.
However, while Arenado’s return is certainly a cause for celebration, it has also raised some questions and concerns among Cardinals fans. With his return, some lineup decisions have been made that have left fans scratching their heads.
One of the biggest decisions that has caused some controversy is the placement of Arenado in the lineup. Instead of being placed in his usual spot at third base, he has been moved to the cleanup spot, behind Paul Goldschmidt. This move has left some fans wondering if it is the best decision for the team.
Another decision that has been met with some criticism is the decision to move Matt Carpenter to second base, a position he has not played regularly since 2018. While Carpenter has been struggling at the plate, some fans believe that moving him to a new position may not be the best solution.
Despite these concerns, the Cardinals organization remains confident in their lineup decisions and believes that they have the best chance of success with Arenado in the cleanup spot and Carpenter at second base.
As for Arenado himself,
Cardinals Announce Nolan Arenado Update in Midst of Nationals Series
St. Louis Cardinals fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Nolan Arenado returns to the starting lineup for Game 2 against the Washington Nationals. The five-year Cardinal was sidelined for three games due to a right shoulder impingement, but manager Oliver Marmol has announced that he is feeling better and the team hopes to avoid placing him on the injured list.
Despite his absence, the Cardinals managed to defeat the Nationals in Game 1 of the series. However, with Arenado back in the lineup, some lineup changes have been made. Nolan Gorman has been replaced at third base and Arenado will bat 5th in the order. Yohel Pozo will start at designated hitter, with Pedro Pagés at catcher.
Pagés has been a consistent starter for the Cardinals this season, but some fans are not happy with Marmol’s decision to continue using him. One fan wrote on Twitter, “THERE IS NO REASON FOR PAGES TO PLAY EVERYDAY,” while another questioned the lack of a backup catcher and the potential consequences if Pagés were to get injured.
With Arenado’s return, the Cardinals get a much-needed boost as they battle through key injuries and a tight NL Central race. However, every roster move will continue to be scrutinized by fans as the team fights for a playoff spot. Stay tuned for more updates on Arenado’s status and the Cardinals’ lineup decisions as they face the Nationals in this crucial series.
Related: Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado Remains Out Ahead of Nationals Series
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
