Cardinals Place Arenado on IL, Begin Rebuild

The St. Louis Cardinals placed third baseman Nolan Arenado on the 10-day injured list due to a right shoulder injury that has led to career-low offensive numbers (.235 average, 10 home runs in 96 games), despite continued strong defense. Arenado, still under contract through 2027, had been involved in trade discussions but stayed with the team due to his no-trade clause and a limited market. With the Cardinals falling further out of playoff contention and having traded several relievers at the deadline, the team now signals a move toward rebuilding. Young infielder Nolan Gorman, recently returning from injury, will take over at third base to gain experience. Arenado's injury and declining performance raise questions about his future in St. Louis. The Cardinals are now focused on balancing the recovery of veterans with the development of younger talent for the remainder of the season.