The St. Louis Cardinals entered Sunday’s series finale against the Boston Red Sox clinging to an 8-6 record and sitting just one game behind the National League Central leaders. But as the team looked to avoid dropping the series, they had to do it without one of their most important players.
Shortstop Masyn Winn, the reigning Gold Glove winner at his position, was held out of the lineup after taking a pitch off his calf during Friday’s game against Boston. The ball, thrown by Red Sox pitcher Connelly Early, struck Winn hard enough that he was pulled from the contest. Thomas Saggese stepped in as his replacement and also drew the start in Saturday’s 7-1 loss to the Red Sox.
By Sunday morning, the Cardinals confirmed what many had feared. Winn would not be available for the series finale, leaving Saggese to hold down the shortstop position and bat eighth in the order.
A rough stretch for Winn in 2025
The calf injury is the third notable health issue Winn has dealt with since the season began, and the pattern has become a real source of concern for the Cardinals organization and their fan base.
He started the season in a bit of a slump offensively before delivering a memorable walk-off hit against the New York Mets on April 1. That moment seemed to signal a turning point. Then, just hours after that game, Winn was involved in a car accident. He managed to return to the field relatively quickly and was back in the lineup for games against the Detroit Tigers, but then a hip issue emerged and briefly kept him out again.
Now comes the calf problem. Cold weather conditions following the hit by pitch caused the muscle to tighten significantly, and early indications suggested he could miss at least a couple of days. Whether he avoids a trip to the injured list remains a key question for the Cardinals going forward. The team’s medical and coaching staff are monitoring him closely to determine if he can contribute in a limited role, such as pinch hitting, before the Cardinals open their next series against the Cleveland Guardians.
Young Cardinals holding their ground
While Winn’s injury situation has drawn most of the attention, it is worth noting just how well St. Louis has performed through the adversity of a transitional season. Coming into 2025, expectations were low. The offseason saw significant roster reshaping, with veterans Sonny Gray, Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras all departing. Many analysts predicted the Cardinals would struggle and possibly finish at the bottom of the NL Central standings.
Instead, the club has leaned into its younger talent and found a way to stay competitive. An 8-6 start, one game out of first place in a tough division, is not what most outside observers predicted, and that resilience speaks to the character the team has shown through a difficult opening stretch.
Saggese, asked to fill in for one of the team’s most dynamic defenders, has handled the added responsibility without flinching. The early returns on the Cardinals’ young core have been largely encouraging, even as the team manages the unavoidable bumps of a long season.
What comes next for St. Louis
The Cardinals are hopeful Winn can return without a stint on the injured list, but there is no guarantee. His value to the team goes beyond the offensive production he provides. His defense at shortstop and his presence in the clubhouse are elements that are difficult to replace on short notice.
As the team turns its attention to Cleveland, the priority will be getting their shortstop healthy. If Winn can get back on the field in the coming days, the Cardinals will be better positioned to build on a start to the season that has already exceeded most expectations. For a team that was supposed to be rebuilding, St. Louis is very much still in the race.
