The St. Louis Cardinals have suffered another setback involving left-handed pitcher Packy Naughton, who has been placed on the 7-day injured list following a concerning elbow issue.
The move comes shortly after Naughton showed promising form during spring training, where he posted a 1.29 ERA over seven innings and appeared to be making a strong case for a return to consistent big-league action.
However, while pitching in a minor league outing, Naughton appeared to suffer an elbow injury after delivering a pitch in the sixth inning, raising immediate concern about his status. The team has since confirmed his placement on the injured list, with further evaluation planned, including an MRI to determine the extent of the damage.
It is another frustrating turn in what has been a difficult stretch for Naughton, who has battled significant injury issues over the past few seasons. After a solid 2022 campaign and a brief, scoreless stint in 2023, his progress was halted by surgeries and extended recovery periods. Despite showing encouraging signs during recent rehab and spring performances, his latest setback casts doubt on his immediate return.
The Cardinals are now awaiting test results while continuing to manage bullpen depth concerns, with Naughton’s future role depending heavily on the outcome of his medical evaluation and recovery timeline.
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