Offseason surgeries further cloud Cardinals’ offseason plans
Three of the four end-of-season surgeries announced to date by the St. Louis Cardinals came without much – or any – surprise.
A similar number of injuries should presumably pass by without significantly impacting the Cardinals’ offseason plans.
Surprises and uncertainty, however, often follow major medical events. Given the affected areas of the roster and the growing need for clarity, these medical challenges are a stark reminder that even the best-laid roster-building plans are not guaranteed to go smoothly.
In addition to Masyn Winn’s right knee meniscus repair, which was conducted at the end of September, the Cardinals on Friday announced three additional procedures: Ivan Herrera underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow on Oct. 15; Brendan Donovan had a sports hernia repaired on Oct. 7; and Lars Nootbaar had surgery to shave down bony growths in his heels, known as Haglund’s deformities, also on Oct. 7.
The team did not release return-to-play estimates for any of the four players. However, both Herrera’s and Winn’s surgeries went as expected, and neither is anticipated to significantly delay their offseason preparations. Herrera still expects to work through a program to improve his throwing, which has been hampered in part by the elbow issue. At the time of his placement on the injured list in mid-September, Winn anticipated a return to full activity by January.
Donovan and Nootbaar had not previously disclosed the injuries they had corrected, although Donovan’s season-long battle with recurring groin trouble pointed to an underlying issue.
A sports hernia is a relatively common injury among MLB players, with a typical recovery timeline of about two months to 10 weeks. Assuming no complications, Donovan should be recovered in time for a healthy spring.
Nootbaar’s issues, however, are somewhat more vexing.
Haglund’s deformity refers to a bony growth on the back of the heel that can develop and cause discomfort over time, risking damage to the Achilles tendon. Prior to Nootbaar, the most prominent public case of the injury among MLB players was Yoenis Cespedes, who had surgery to correct calcifications in both heels in 2018 and did not return to the majors until an eight-game stint in 2020.
Cespedes faced compounding issues, including a fractured ankle suffered in a run-in with a wild boar in spring 2019, which significantly set back his rehab. At the time of the surgery in July 2018, the Mets announced his rehab time was expected to be eight to ten months, and then–assistant general manager John Ricco acknowledged the recovery could take even longer.
The Cardinals are withholding further comment on Nootbaar’s injuries, and it’s impossible to determine how his medical situation compares to others’ based on available information. What is clear, though, is that the procedure Nootbaar underwent is not minor, and given the rarity of this surgery among athletes who return to play, it could create some wariness in the trade market.
John Wall of the NBA’s Washington Wizards had a Haglund’s deformity repair in January 2019, and just days into his recovery, tore his Achilles in a fall at home. Wall did not return until the 2020-21 season and was only moderately effective; the compounded injuries essentially ended his time as a star-level talent.
Nootbaar reached a career high in games played and plate appearances in 2025, but he posted the least productive season of his career at the plate. With only two remaining seasons of team control and a salary that is increasing through arbitration, Nootbaar—along with Donovan—had emerged as a prime trade candidate this offseason.
If trading Nootbaar is no longer possible, it not only increases the chances Donovan will be moved as the team seeks to pare down its surplus of left-handed bats, but it also alters which acquisitions will be prioritized.
Victor Scott II has secured his place in center field, and the Cardinals appear reluctant to part with Jordan Walker, even if he is not guaranteed to open next season in the big leagues or as an everyday player. If Willson Contreras is not traded this winter, Alec Burleson would presumably inherit a corner outfield spot, though the Cardinals prefer him as a designated hitter or at first base.
If Herrera’s recovery goes well and he demonstrates improved throwing, it could create a logjam behind the plate, and would also remove him from outfield consideration. That likely leaves the Cardinals needing to pursue a corner outfielder to remain competitive, regardless of the caliber of player required to push the team into true contention.
It’s also possible that Nootbaar’s recovery surpasses expectations, in which case, he could become a trade candidate again. But before the World Series has even been finalized, it’s clear that building a roster for 2026—let alone preparing for the future—will have to proceed amid significant injuries and uncertain recoveries.
It’s not an ideal position, but with the situation now clear, the Cardinals can move forward with open eyes. It’s an unfortunate development for everyone involved, and it will define much of the team’s short-term operations.
This story was originally published October 21, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
