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Cardinals Announce Nolan Arenado News After Leaving Braves Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jacob Webb | Last updated Jul 12, 2025 12:23 AM ET

Entering Friday night's contest against the Braves, Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado had missed five of the team's last eight games.

The first two games he missed came against the Pirates because of a right index finger injury. A few days later, Arenado was sidelined due to a right shoulder impingement, causing him to miss three more games.

After returning to the Cardinals' lineup for the final two games of the Nationals series, Arenado got the start again on Friday night against the Braves, but he exited the game after six innings.

Shortly after he exited, the Cardinals announced that Arenado was pulled from the game because of a sprained right index finger - the same injury that recently caused him to miss two games in Pittsburgh.

Arenado had a base hit in three plate appearances before exiting the game. Thomas Saggese took over at third base in Arenado's place.

After the Braves had a 6-5 lead after three innings, the teams went scoreless for the rest of the game, as Atlanta took the series opener.

Following tonight's game, the Cardinals and Braves will have a quick turnaround. Game two of the series is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. CST tomorrow in St. Louis.

After Sunday's series finale with Atlanta, the Cardinals will receive a much-needed four days off. Following the All-Star break, St. Louis travels to take on the Diamondbacks next Friday night.

Given there are just two days to go until the break, Arenado may be able to avoid an IL stint, but it seems pretty unlikely that he'll see the field in either of the final two games against Atlanta.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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