Herrera Nearing Return to Action

Spring Training Notebook — Herrera Nearing Return to Action
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

JUPITER, Fla. — There’s a quiet but important development unfolding in Cardinals camp, and it centers around one of the club’s most critical bats heading into 2026.

Catcher/designated hitter Iván Herrera is expected to return to the Cardinals’ Grapefruit League lineup on Wednesday against the Astros, marking his first game action in nearly two weeks. The initial report was provided by Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, following Herrera’s successful bullpen session on Tuesday.

The plan is measured, not rushed — Herrera is scheduled to serve as the designated hitter while also catching approximately three innings, in Thursday's game, a clear indication the club is easing him back into full game responsibilities.

 
Notebook Take: Progress, But With Purpose

Let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture here.

Herrera’s spring has been anything but routine. After undergoing offseason elbow surgery, the Cardinals already had him on a controlled ramp-up schedule. Just as he began to settle in, knee inflammation added another layer of concern — not serious enough to derail his season, but enough to slow the timeline.

And that’s exactly what we’re seeing now: a cautious organization playing the long game.

This isn’t about March. This is about April — and beyond.

 
Why Herrera Matters More Than Ever

Coming into this season, Herrera isn’t just another piece — he’s a central one.

The Cardinals are counting on his bat to anchor the designated hitter role while also providing flexibility behind the plate. His ability to contribute offensively without the daily wear and tear of catching gives this lineup a different look — one that can lengthen the order when he’s right.

But here’s the reality: availability is part of the equation.

A hitter can’t impact the lineup from the training room.

That’s why this slow, deliberate buildup matters. The Cardinals aren’t just trying to get Herrera back — they’re trying to keep him back.

 
Old School Take

There’s always a temptation this time of year to push. To hurry a guy back. To squeeze out one more spring at-bat.

Good organizations resist that.

The Cardinals have been around long enough to understand that a healthy bat on Opening Day is worth far more than a rushed one in mid-March.

Herrera doesn’t need to win a job — he already has one.

Now it’s about making sure he’s ready to hold it.

 
What to Watch Wednesday

- How Herrera looks moving laterally behind the plate
- The comfort level in his swing after the layoff
- Whether he comes out of the game clean physically
- If all boxes are checked, this becomes less about concern — and more about timing.

 
Final Thought

This isn’t a headline-grabbing return.

But it’s the kind of development that quietly shapes a season.

And for the Cardinals, getting Iván Herrera back — and keeping him there — may matter more than anything he does this week in Jupiter.

Photo Credit - Feb 16, 2026; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (48) during spring training workouts at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images© Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images