ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals hoped Friday would bring optimistic news regarding Iván Herrera and his sore left hamstring.

Instead, they were greeted with a grim prognosis. Herrera, the team’s most impactful hitter, could miss up to six weeks with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. The Cardinals were made aware of the injury a few hours before Friday’s game, a 6-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds spurred by six scoreless innings from Andre Pallante. Still, the ramifications of losing Herrera for an extended period could be severe for St. Louis.

Herrera sustained the injury in the top of the sixth inning during Game 1 of Thursday’s doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, rounding first base after singling to right. Herrera, the starting catcher in Game 1, did not initially think the injury was serious and remained in the game for two more innings. When he continued to feel a twinge, the Cardinals removed him.

“I tried to go for two bases and I felt a pull in my hamstring, a small spot,” Herrera said. “I didn’t think it was bad. … I didn’t feel uncomfortable, but they did take me out of the game.

“I thought I could keep playing,” he added. “I was hoping that I could play today. But (the team) said if I keep playing with it, I risk missing all year.”

Herrera underwent imaging Friday morning at Busch Stadium, which revealed a significant strain that will keep him out a minimum of two weeks, but likely much more. The Cardinals’ initial recovery timeline ranged anywhere from two to six weeks. Herrera was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday afternoon, and the team recalled Thomas Saggese as the corresponding move.

INF Thomas Saggese has been recalled from Memphis (AAA).

C/DH Iván Herrera has been placed on the 10-day IL (left hamstring strain). pic.twitter.com/tR4KQIdgq6

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 20, 2025

Being without Herrera for any length of time is not ideal. Despite his defense continuing to be a work in progress, Herrera cemented himself in the starting lineup because of his bat. His .320/.392/.533 line is the most productive of any Cardinal, and his eight homers are the fourth-most on the team. The 25-year-old already missed a month of the season after sustaining a bone bruise on his left knee in early April, yet he still leads most of the roster in OPS (.925) and RBIs (36).

“It’s unfortunate, he’s been doing a really nice job,” manager Oli Marmol said of Herrera. “Swinging a really hot bat, just a real threat offensively. We’re going to miss that, but it’s an opportunity for someone else to step in.”

The Cardinals will have to get creative in Herrera’s absence. They’ll also need multiple players to step up during the next two weeks. St. Louis (41-35, 4 1/2 games back in the National League Central) is entering a pivotal stretch of schedule where it will face division opponents in 12 of its next 15 games. The Cardinals also do not have a scheduled team off day until July 3. Here’s what to watch as the Cardinals navigate a serious blow to their everyday lineup — during a time where they could hardly afford it.

Nolan Gorman, Alec Burleson should see more playing time

For the last several weeks, Marmol’s lineup configuration resembled solving a Rubik’s Cube. Keeping Herrera as the starting designated hitter kept the best bat in the lineup, but made it impossible for Marmol to play Gorman, Jordan Walker, Burleson, Lars Nootbaar and Victor Scott II in the lineup at the same time.

Gorman and Burleson were the players who saw their playing time cut the most, despite both hitters swinging much better bats lately. Gorman entered play Friday hitting .286 with three homers and a .946 OPS in June, while Burleson is slugging a whopping .400/431/.600 and also has three home runs this month. What’s been most encouraging about Gorman and Burleson’s performances is that it has come regardless of opposing handedness. The two lefties are having no problem hitting lefty pitching lately, and Marmol is eager to play both hitters more.

“Gorman has shown over time that he can handle lefties, it’s more so if his swing is right,” Marmol explained. “When he’s feeling good, I don’t think it’s a matter of handedness, where Burleson is showing us that he can stay in there really well (against lefties) right now.”

Three-run Burly Bomb! 🌮 pic.twitter.com/DLzb5Orgj1

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 19, 2025

The Cardinals believe they can increase playing time for Gorman and Burleson by utilizing the designated hitter role and also working in consistent rest days for Walker. Asked if there was some hesitancy about carrying a lefty-heavy lineup (Brendan Donovan, Nootbaar and Scott II will continue in their usual roles), Marmol acknowledged that could be a concern but said: “It is what it is. You take your shot with what you have, and we can give guys a blow with Saggese from the right side.”

Expect St. Louis to use the designated hitter role as a carousel, similar to how it operated during Herrera’s first IL stint. Gorman and Burleson can trade off in that role, with Burleson also available to give Willson Contreras time off at first base or Walker in right field. The Cardinals could also elect to start Donovan in left field and Gorman at second base on days Nootbaar needs off, but that will raise questions about how much they are willing to sacrifice defensively to prioritize offense.

It’s not an ideal situation, but if the team is looking for a silver lining, it’s that Burleson and Gorman look ready to pick up in Herrera’s place.

“This will give more opportunity to Gorman (and Burleson) to step in there and show what they’re capable of, which will be fun to watch as well,” Marmol said.

Thomas Saggese will provide bench depth

Saggese was the logical call-up, with Yohel Pozo available to back up Pedro Pagés behind the plate. While there will be a clamor to play Saggese every day, Marmol made it clear the infielder’s role is to provide depth.

The 23-year-old appeared in 15 games in April for St. Louis before he was optioned back to Memphis to see more consistent playing time. He’s hitting .317 with an .847 OPS over 42 Triple-A games, but his ability to play around the infield is where he brings the Cardinals the most value. Marmol wants to prioritize Gorman’s and Burleson’s playing time, though there will still be opportunities for Saggese to play.

Thomas Saggese is red hot for the @MemphisRedbirds 🔥

The @Cardinals‘ No. 5 prospect is 20-for-45 (.444) in June after belting his fifth homer of the season at Triple-A. pic.twitter.com/umyONcXLcZ

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 18, 2025

“The priority is the guys that have been here, more so than the guy who’s getting here,” Marmol explained. “An opportunity — in an undesirable way — has presented itself, but I think the guys that have been waiting for their opportunity should get it.”

Saggese was the designated hitter in Friday’s starting lineup, as both Contreras and Nolan Arenado were scheduled for days off after Thursday’s doubleheader. Saggese could start against opposing left-handers, but his primary obligation will be bench depth for now.

Michael McGreevy will likely make another spot start against the Cubs

A rainout Wednesday allowed St. Louis to bring up McGreevy for a spot start Thursday as its 27th man — before his eligibility date of June 24. The result? Five innings of one-run ball against the White Sox, where the right-hander scattered three hits and a walk with five strikeouts. The Cardinals had to send him back to Memphis after Thursday (McGreevy was sent down on June 10 and, by rule, must wait 15 days before he’s eligible to be called back up, with the exception of injury and doubleheaders).

Expect to see him back with the big-league club as soon as it’s permitted.

The Cardinals will likely spot start McGreevy against the Cubs on Tuesday, his third start of the year and his fourth overall appearance. Sonny Gray, who was supposed to start Wednesday’s postponed game, was pushed back to Saturday. Miles Mikolas will take Sunday’s series finale against the Reds, and Matthew Liberatore is scheduled to start Monday’s game — the first of four against Chicago, whom St. Louis is facing for the first time this season.

St. Louis has aimed to keep its starters on a six-day schedule for most of the season. By starting McGreevy on his eligibility date, the Cardinals will be able to enforce that schedule. They plan to finish the series with Erick Fedde on Wednesday and Pallante on Thursday, both of whom would be on a five-day schedule if not for a spot start Tuesday.

It’s fair to question why McGreevy, who has allowed five earned runs over 16 2/3 major-league innings this season, isn’t a fixture in the rotation. The Cardinals certainly would like him to be, but remain concerned about their lack of starting pitching depth in the minor leagues. St. Louis is one of the few MLB teams that has not suffered a significant starting pitching injury, which has kept McGreevy in Triple A.

The club could re-evaluate McGreevy’s usage ahead of the trade deadline. Until then, St. Louis will continue utilizing McGreevy for spot starts when the schedule allows and look to find a clear avenue for him to remain in the big leagues for good later in the year.

(Photo of Ivan Herrera: Jeff Hanisch / Imagn Images)