O’Brien Targeting Friday Debut After Calf Issue

The Cardinal Chronicle
Spring Training Notebook
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

Riley O’Brien Targeting Friday Debut After Calf Issue

JUPITER, Fla. — Right-handed reliever Riley O’Brien is tentatively scheduled to make his 2026 Grapefruit League debut Friday against the Baltimore Orioles, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

O’Brien has been slowed early in camp by a calf issue, but the club appears encouraged enough by his progress to line him up for his first spring appearance later this week.

The hard-throwing right-hander remains an intriguing bullpen arm for St. Louis. Acquired from Seattle late last season, O’Brien showed flashes of swing-and-miss stuff with a power fastball that can reach the upper-90s along with a sharp breaking ball.

For the Cardinals, the primary focus right now is simply getting O’Brien healthy and game-ready as the club continues sorting through its bullpen depth during spring training.

If Friday goes smoothly, O’Brien could begin building a regular spring workload as the Cardinals evaluate potential relief roles heading into the 2026 season.

Health, consistency, and command will ultimately determine where he fits, but the organization still sees late-inning potential in the 29-year-old right-hander.

For now, Friday’s outing represents the first step back onto the mound this spring.