Cardinals' Nolan Arenado Expected to Return From Injury September 15

Nolan Arenado, the St. Louis Cardinals' veteran third baseman, is nearing a return from a shoulder injury that sidelined him since the trade deadline. After rehabbing at the team's spring training facility, Arenado is set to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield and aims to rejoin the Cardinals for their final homestand starting September 15. His absence was marked by struggles at the plate, largely attributed to right shoulder inflammation and a jammed finger, which affected his throwing and batting. Arenado's return offers the Cardinals a chance to evaluate his health and offensive potential ahead of offseason decisions amid the team's youth movement under incoming president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. Additionally, Arenado has praised rising prospect Rainiel Rodriguez, highlighting the team's promising future talents. While the Cardinals are unlikely to make the playoffs this season, Arenado's comeback is a positive development for both the player and the franchise.