The St. Louis Cardinals made another round of cuts from their Spring Training roster on Tuesday as they continue to finalize their squad for Opening Day. This marks the second major reduction of players during this spring session. Among those sent down were outfielder Joshua Báez and pitcher Quinn Mathews, two names that attracted attention due to their potential roles with the team. With the roster now trimmed to 46 players, the Cardinals are moving closer to their final Opening Day lineup.
Opportunity Arises for Young Utility Player Amid Roster Changes
Joshua Báez’s outstanding performance in Spring Training set high expectations; he appeared in 10 major league games, posting a .333 batting average with a .417 on-base percentage and .762 slugging mark, including three home runs and five RBIs. Currently ranked as the Cardinals’ No. 4 prospect, Báez’s early displays fueled speculation about him securing a spot on the Opening Day roster, especially to fill a left field role. However, with Báez optioned to the minors, this shift potentially clears the way for Thomas Saggese to claim a significant position.
Saggese has been heavily involved in outfield drills during camp and has steadily impressed with his versatility. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch highlighted this development, emphasizing that Saggese could very well earn the starting left field role as the team shapes its roster.
“The biggest question here is whether Saggese and [José Fermín] should be listed below in the outfielders because that’s a significant part of how they’ll make the team,”
Goold explained while discussing the squad’s competitive dynamics. “Ramón Urías’ addition at the start of camp gave competition for young infielders [JJ Wetherholt] and [Nolan Gorman], but it was also a direct challenge for the players out to win the utility spot on the bench, namely another right-handed utility fielder Fermín.”
Goold further noted the strategic considerations surrounding Saggese’s skills, stating,
“His skillset and contact profile has advocates within the Cardinals’ decision tree, and that could carry the call given he’s also out of options. No one would be surprised if Saggese is the starting left fielder on opening day.”
Thomas Saggese’s Chances and What Lies Ahead
With Báez reassigned to the minor leagues, Saggese’s trajectory toward the Opening Day roster appears clearer, though he still faces important evaluations in the weeks remaining before the season opener. Through a limited sample of four games at camp, he has recorded a promising .333 batting average, complemented by a .455 on-base percentage and a .444 slugging percentage. His versatility as a utility player and the Cardinals’ confidence in his ability to handle the outfield provide him with an advantage as the team aims for tactical depth.
The team’s final decisions over the coming weeks will determine how the utility role is ultimately allocated, but the current outlook positions Saggese as a key figure in the Cardinals’ Opening Day plans. His ability to contribute both offensively and defensively could prove crucial for the Cardinals as they seek to build a competitive roster.
We have made the following roster moves.
Our Spring Training roster now stands at 46 players. pic.twitter.com/cOMqahpF7F
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) March 9, 2026
