Cardinals Facing JJ Wetherholt Decision After Masyn Winn News

Masyn Winn Injury Update

Part of that decline may be injury-related. Winn has been battling knee pain since the All-Star break and, despite receiving an injection, has not shown signs of improvement.

Ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays, he was scratched from the lineup due to lingering discomfort.

"SS Masyn Winn (knee pain) is out of the lineup for the #STLCards today when they face the #Rays. Winn got an injection in the knee over the All-Star break and has been playing in pain for weeks," wrote MLB.com's John Denton.

Front Office Faces Decision to Call Up Wetherholt as Winn Battles Injury

Given Winn’s importance to the franchise long-term, the Cardinals may need to consider shutting him down until he shows tangible progress. Protecting his health for future seasons could outweigh the short-term value of keeping him on the field.

That decision could open the door for top prospect JJ Wetherholt, who’s been tearing up Triple-A since being drafted in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft.

While John Mozeliak has expressed hesitation about a call-up this season due to roster control and Rule 5 Draft implications, Wetherholt’s production and positional versatility make him a compelling option. With Nolan Arenado still sidelined and Winn’s knee pain still an issue, the Cardinals could use the added depth.

Even a short stint in the majors would give Wetherholt valuable exposure to big-league pitching and allow the front office to evaluate his fit heading into 2026. If the Cardinals are serious about building for the future, this could be the right time to make that move.