Iván Herrera to Undergo elbow Surgery,Clouding cardinals’ Future Catcher Landscape
St.Louis Cardinals designated hitter Iván Herrera will undergo surgery to address a lingering right elbow issue at the conclusion of the 2025 season, perhaps altering the team’s catcher configuration in 2026. The procedure, intended to remove loose bodies from the elbow, is expected to fully prepare Herrera for a return to catching duties, a role he has been hampered from performing optimally for the past two seasons.
Herrera’s planned surgery introduces uncertainty into the Cardinals’ catcher depth chart, which currently includes Andrew Knizner, Willson Contreras, and Tres Barrera. While the team designed a training program for Herrera knowing surgery was likely,the timing and success of his recovery will heavily influence how the Cardinals navigate the position heading into the 2026 season.A healthy Herrera could potentially form a catching tandem with rookie catcher Ian Crooks, but the ultimate arrangement remains to be seen.
According to reports from Jim Hayes and Derrick Goold, Herrera has been dealing with the elbow issue for “a couple of seasons,” which has restricted his ability to throw effectively to second base. “He says he’s had an elbow issue for a couple of seasons, that prevented him from getting his arm in the proper position to make throws to second base,” Hayes stated. The surgery aims to resolve this impediment and allow Herrera to regain full functionality.
The Cardinals anticipate Herrera will be ready for spring training, though his winter workout regimen will be adjusted to accommodate his recovery. The team is hopeful that a successful surgery and rehabilitation will allow Herrera to compete for playing time at catcher alongside the existing personnel, creating a potential logjam at the position.
