St. Louis Cardinals fans are getting their first glimpse of newly promoted prospects Jimmy Crooks and Cesar Prieto, but the roster moves that made room for them come with disappointing news.
Outfielder Alec Burleson, one of the Cardinals’ brightest performers this season, has been placed on the injured list with wrist soreness, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Additionally, catcher Yohel Pozo will join him after suffering a concussion when he was struck on the mask during Thursday’s game.
Burleson has been a key contributor for St. Louis in 2025. Through 122 games, he has posted a strong .286/.337/.451 slash line with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs, good for a 120 wRC+ — the third-best mark on the team. He also improved defensively, showing steadier play in the corner outfield and at first base compared to his earlier seasons. If his season ends with this injury, it will still stand as a breakthrough campaign that could shape how new baseball operations chief Chaim Bloom views his role heading into 2026.
Pozo has been one of the team’s most inspiring stories this year. Signed as catching depth, he quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his perseverance and energy. Offensively, he has cooled off lately, carrying a .242/.273/.392 line, but his knack for clutch hitting stands out — posting an extraordinary 280 wRC+ in high-leverage situations. While his long-term future with the Cardinals is uncertain, his contributions have left a mark and could earn him another opportunity with St. Louis or elsewhere next season.
Despite the setbacks, the Cardinals’ mix of emerging talent and resilience continues to be a central theme of their 2025 campaign.
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