The St. Louis Cardinals have received relatively encouraging news regarding shortstop Masyn Winn after the young infielder was placed on the injured list with a fractured left thumb.
Winn’s injury initially raised concerns that the Cardinals could be without one of their most important young players for an extended period, particularly with the team attempting to remain in the National League postseason race. However, the latest update suggests his absence could be relatively short.
According to MLB.com, imaging confirmed a fracture in Winn’s left thumb. The injury is expected to affect him primarily when swinging the bat, which gives the Cardinals some optimism that he could return shortly after serving the minimum required stint on the injured list.
Winn was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Aug. 22, meaning he could potentially be activated as early as the Cardinals’ upcoming series against the Los Angeles Dodgers next week.
The Cardinals indicated that Winn is expected to miss only the team’s current homestand, a much more favorable scenario than the lengthy absence that could have resulted from a more serious hand or thumb injury.
Winn has been an important piece
Winn has remained an important part of the Cardinals’ lineup and defense throughout the 2026 season. In 122 games, he has hit .238 with five home runs and 51 RBIs while continuing to handle the demanding responsibilities of playing shortstop.
His absence comes at an inconvenient time for St. Louis, which has dropped four consecutive games and is trying to keep its postseason hopes alive.
With Winn unavailable, the Cardinals are expected to move JJ Wetherholt to shortstop. Wetherholt will take on increased responsibility while the team waits for Winn’s thumb to heal.
The Cardinals cannot afford to lose much more ground in the standings. St. Louis entered Wednesday at 66-67, sitting third in the NL Central and five games behind the San Diego Padres for the final National League Wild Card position.
That makes Winn’s expected quick return particularly important. A prolonged absence could force St. Louis to rely on a less established combination in the middle infield during a crucial portion of the schedule.
Nolan Gorman returns to St. Louis
The Cardinals also made another roster move, recalling infielder Nolan Gorman to the Major League roster.
Gorman has struggled offensively this season, batting only .190 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs. He had been away from the Major League club since June after an especially difficult stretch in which he hit just .050 over his first seven games that month.
His return did not immediately produce the offensive spark St. Louis was hoping for. Gorman went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts against the Baltimore Orioles in his first game back.
Nevertheless, the Cardinals are hoping that additional playing time can help Gorman rediscover the swing that made him an intriguing offensive option earlier in his career.
Cardinals need reinforcements quickly
The timing of Winn’s injury is significant because St. Louis is running out of opportunities to make up ground in the Wild Card race.
The Cardinals have struggled recently, and another extended losing streak could make their postseason chances increasingly difficult. Winn’s potential return after the minimum IL stay therefore represents an important piece of positive news for a club that needs its core players available.
For now, the Cardinals will have to manage without their starting shortstop and rely on Wetherholt to fill the defensive void. The team will also hope Gorman can provide more offense after returning to the Majors.
If Winn’s recovery progresses as expected, however, St. Louis may only have to navigate a short stretch without him. Avoiding further complications with the fractured thumb will be the priority, with the Cardinals potentially getting their starting shortstop back just as they begin another critical stretch of the season.
For a team sitting at 66-67 and chasing a Wild Card spot, that could be a major boost.
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