St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitcher Packy Naughton has suffered another setback in his attempt to re-establish himself in the organization, as he has been placed on the injured list following a concerning elbow issue.
Naughton, who has not appeared in a major league game since 2023 due to ongoing elbow problems, had shown encouraging signs during spring training. He delivered strong results in limited action, posting an impressive 1.29 ERA over seven innings across seven appearances, suggesting he could still be a valuable bullpen option. However, he ultimately began the season in Triple-A as the team opted to let him continue building up gradually.
That progress took a troubling turn during a recent minor league outing when he threw a pitch in the sixth inning and immediately appeared to be in significant discomfort, sparking concern about his elbow. The incident raised immediate questions about the severity of the issue, especially given his long history of arm injuries.
The Cardinals later confirmed that Naughton has been placed on the 7-day injured list while further evaluation is conducted. An MRI is scheduled to determine the extent of the damage, leaving his short-term status uncertain.
This latest injury is another difficult chapter in what has been a frustrating stretch for the left-hander. After contributing in 2022 and showing flashes of effectiveness in limited 2023 action, his career has been repeatedly interrupted by surgeries and rehabilitation stints. Despite those setbacks, he had been working his way back through the minors with hopes of rejoining the major league bullpen.
For now, both Naughton and the Cardinals are waiting on test results, hoping the issue is not severe. If he can return healthy, there may still be an opportunity for him to contribute, as St. Louis continues to search for reliable bullpen depth.
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