Cardinals Consider Position Change for Young Slugger Ivan Herrera to Preserve Health
The St. Louis Cardinals are making a bold move to protect their rising star, Ivan Herrera. In order to keep the young slugger healthy, the team is considering having him switch positions and no longer play as a catcher.
This decision comes after Herrera suffered a minor injury during a recent game. While the injury was not serious, it raised concerns about the toll that catching can take on a player’s body. The Cardinals want to ensure that Herrera’s talent and potential are not hindered by the physical demands of the catching position.
Herrera, who is only 20 years old, has shown great promise as a hitter and has quickly risen through the ranks of the Cardinals’ minor league system. The team sees him as a key player for their future success and wants to do everything in their power to keep him on the field.
While Herrera has primarily played as a catcher throughout his career, he does have experience at other positions, including first base and outfield. The Cardinals believe that a position change could not only benefit Herrera’s health, but also add versatility to his skill set.
Of course, this decision is not one that the team is taking lightly. They understand that it may take some time for Herrera to adjust to a new position and they want to make sure he is comfortable and confident in his new role.
The Cardinals have not yet made a final decision on Herrera’s position, but it is clear that they have his best interests at heart. Fans will have to wait and see where Herrera ends up on the field, but one thing is for sure – the Cardinals are committed to rdinals will have to make do without their rising star behind the plate.
The End of an Era: Cardinals’ Ivan Herrera May Have Played His Last Game as Catcher
The St. Louis Cardinals may have seen the last of Ivan Herrera behind the plate — at least for the foreseeable future. The 25-year-old catcher was assigned to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday for a rehab stint as he recovers from a strained left hamstring. Herrera will serve as the Redbirds’ designated hitter through the All-Star break, and notably, he is not scheduled to catch. In fact, the Cardinals don’t plan to put Herrera back behind the plate for the rest of the 2025 season.
Manager Oliver Marmol addressed the decision, saying, “We have to definitely keep that in mind as far as if we want to keep him healthy for the remaining couple months… We haven’t come up with, like, ‘This is exactly what it will look like,’ but we’re pretty close to [not catching].”
Herrera’s offensive production has been undeniable this season. Before the injury bug hit, he was having a breakout year, slashing .320 with eight home runs, 36 RBIs, and a .925 OPS — the best numbers on the team among everyday players. But two lower-body injuries to his left leg — a bone bruise in April and a hamstring strain in June — have made his long-term durability behind the plate a concern.
Defensively, Herrera has also faced challenges. Opponents are a perfect 15-for-15 on stolen base attempts against him this season. Last year wasn’t much better, as he allowed 55 steals while catching just four would-be base stealers. With his bat clearly being his greatest asset, the Cardinals appear ready to preserve it by limiting his physical toll.
This shift opens the door for Pedro Pagés to solidify his role as the team’s primary catcher. St. Louis has praised Pagés’ ability to manage the pitching staff, and his defensive presence may now become even more valuable. Yohel Pozo is expected to back him up.
As for Herrera’s future, it’s unclear whether a permanent move to first base or DH is in the cards. His only professional experience outside of catching and DHing came in the Caribbean Series, where he made eight starts at first base for Panama between 2021 and 2024. For now, the Cardinals plan to reassess in the offseason.
“I’d like to just finish the year with that being the case and then we can re-evaluate,” Marmol said, “but I wouldn’t go much past that.”
The Herrera situation isn’t the only storyline brewing in St. Louis. The club continues to wrestle with whether to move struggling starter Erick Fedde out of the rotation. After a disastrous outing against the Cubs, the pressure is mounting, especially with rookie Michael McGreevy waiting in the wings.
Meanwhile, Jordan Walker continues his rehab assignment in Springfield after a wrist injury, though struggles at the plate may delay his return. For now, the Cardinals will have to make do without their rising star behind the plate.
