The St. Louis Cardinals were forced to make a late adjustment to their lineup on Tuesday after All-Star right fielder Jordan Walker was scratched from the second game of the club’s three-game series against the New York Yankees because of right knee inflammation.
Walker was removed from the starting lineup roughly an hour before first pitch, marking just his third missed game of the 2026 season. The Cardinals had originally penciled him into the No. 2 spot in the batting order, but after the late scratch, Nelson Velázquez stepped into right field while Ivan Herrera moved up one spot to bat second.
The unexpected change came less than 24 hours after Walker played a starring role in St. Louis’ 13-7 victory over the Yankees on Monday. In that game, the 24-year-old outfielder finished 2-for-5, highlighted by a triple, a run scored, and two strikeouts, continuing what has been the finest season of his young career.
Walker has emerged as one of the National League’s premier offensive players in 2026, earning his first All-Star selection while posting impressive numbers. Through the opening months of the season, he owns a .285 batting average, has launched 22 home runs, and driven in 81 RBIs, making him one of the Cardinals’ most productive run producers.
His breakout campaign also included a memorable performance during last month’s Home Run Derby, where he defeated Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber in the championship round to capture the derby title, further cementing his status as one of baseball’s rising stars.
Selected by the Cardinals with the 21st overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, Walker has steadily developed into a cornerstone of the franchise. Since making his major league debut in 2023, he has appeared in 390 career games, compiling a .254 batting average, 49 home runs, and 193 RBIs.
The Cardinals have not indicated whether Walker’s knee inflammation will require additional testing or force him to miss more time, leaving his availability for the remainder of the Yankees series uncertain. For now, St. Louis will closely monitor the condition of one of its most valuable hitters, hoping the injury proves to be a minor setback rather than a prolonged absence.
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