The St. Louis Cardinals have officially placed shortstop Masyn Winn on the 10‑day injured list due to lower back spasms, a move prompted after he exited a game early last Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies. The team prioritized cautious management of his health rather than rushing him back.
Winn himself initially downplayed the severity of his condition, admitting he “probably thought [he’d be] out for Saturday,” but ultimately agreed with manager Oliver Marmol that injury prevention should take precedence this early in the season.
Marmol emphasized that Winn “can bank on it being within a window of four to six days” for recovery, noting that the shortstop had displayed similar symptoms in spring training and late in the previous season. The team deemed it sensible to act conservatively at this stage rather than risk prolonging the issue.
With Winn sidelined, the Cardinals activated Nolan Gorman from the injured list—he had been recovering from a right hamstring strain—creating flexibility within the infield roster.
In the interim, utility players Thomas Saggese and Brendan Donovan have stepped in at shortstop. Saggese, in particular, has impressed—hitting .455 with a home run, 5 RBIs, and a strong OPS over nine games—forcing the Cardinals to consider his role once Winn returns.
Looking ahead, Winn is expected to be activated close to the back‑end of his IL timeline, with April 22 cited as a likely return date. His return will bring pressure on roster decisions, especially regarding Saggese’s continued presence in the major league infield.
