After only six games into the season, the St. Louis Cardinals have already had to fiddle with their rosters, promoting Thomas Saggese from Triple-A Memphis and placing Nolan Gorman on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring strain.
Gorman looked to feel the strain while racing the bases in the April 1 game against the Los Angeles Angels.
Saggese hit.253 with 20 home runs in Memphis in 2024 and was given a cup of coffee by the Cardinals near the end of the season. Saggese hit only.204 with a.556 OPS in the big leagues, and after the minor league season ended, the Cardinals sent him to the Arizona Fall League to get more plate appearances and practice at second base after spending the majority of his innings in Memphis at shortstop.
Saggese’s time at second base could benefit him in place of Gorman, who was performing well in a limited sample size, with four hits and a home run in eight at bats. Brendan Donovan should remain the starting second baseman, and Saggese, like Gorman, will most likely get limited playing time.
Gorman’s injury should not keep him out for long, as he sorely needs to rebound in 2025 following a disastrous season in which he struck out 37.6% of the time and hit only.203. After being demoted in August, Gorman continued to struggle in Memphis, hitting only.205. Gorman, formerly a top prospect for the Cardinals, must move on in 2025 or risk losing his spot to Saggese.
Saggese was never considered as promising a prospect as Gorman, and he will almost probably return to Memphis once Gorman is recovered. However, with Gorman’s difficulties widely documented, don’t be surprised if Saggese returns if Gorman falls on his face again.
Saggese may possibly gain a promotion later this year at the cost of Michael Siani.
Siani appears consigned to a late-inning defensive duty, and the Cardinals may eventually determine that the 26th roster space is better spent on a more capable hitter.
Saggese might also provide a breather for Masyn Winn, who has struggled in the box with only one hit in 22 at-bats. The Cardinals currently lack a backup shortstop to Winn, and while Donovan can play there in a pinch, his worth stems from his versatility on the field.
The Cardinals’ roster is exceedingly congested, and Saggese will have a difficult time getting into many games. However, the Cardinals, who are currently focused on defense, may eventually determine that having Saggese on the roster will improve their squad, whether due to injury or performance by other players.
