Cardinals Face Catcher Logjam, Seek Pitching Help

The St. Louis Cardinals, coming off a missed postseason, are confronting a catcher logjam with prospects Rainiel Rodriguez and Leonardo Bernal (the 2025 Minor League Gold Glove winner) among those pushing for roster spots. That surplus of backstops will force difficult roster decisions as the club reshapes around youth. On the pitching side, the Cardinals remain open to low-cost veteran additions to stabilize the staff, with right-hander Adrian Houser identified as a realistic rotation target. The departure of closer Ryan Helsley has left the ninth-inning role unsettled, and the club is evaluating low-cost relief options and internal candidates to fill that vacancy.