The St. Louis Cardinals received some early adversity just days into Spring Training, as one of their promising young arms is now sidelined.
According to Brian Walton of TheCardinalNation.com information later shared by Adam Akbani pitching prospect Ixan Henderson is dealing with a left flexor strain and has been shut down from throwing.
Further clarification came from Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, who reported that Henderson has been placed in the club’s rehab group. Cardinals president Chaim Bloom later explained that the strain is considered mild and developed as Henderson was ramping up. Imaging revealed no structural damage to the elbow, but the right-hander will not throw for the time being.
Bloom also noted that pitcher Pete Hansen is experiencing shoulder stiffness, though it is not severe enough to require imaging. Like Henderson, Hansen is temporarily sidelined from throwing.
Henderson, ranked as the organization’s No. 19 prospect, is coming off a standout 2025 campaign in which he earned Texas League Pitcher of the Year honors. He posted a 2.59 ERA across 25 starts with Double-A Springfield, totaling 132 innings. The year prior, he recorded a 2.34 ERA in 22 minor league appearances, including 17 starts.
While the diagnosis appears relatively minor, any mention of a flexor issue can raise concern. For now, though, the Cardinals appear to have avoided a more serious setback with one of their rising pitching prospects.
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