Cardinals Make Miles Mikolas Decision After All-Star Break

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin M. Groe | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 5:29 PM ET

Right-handed starting pitcher Miles Mikolas is in his tenth MLB season and seventh as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.

The 36-year-old veteran made his big-league debut with the San Diego Padres in 2012 but struggled to establish himself as a reliable arm in the majors, prompting him to hone his craft in Japan from 2015–2017. After exceeding expectations overseas, the Cardinals signed him on December 5, 2017, to a two-year deal worth $15.5 million.

In his first season with St. Louis, he dominated: he earned his first All-Star selection, finished sixth in Cy Young Award voting and posted an 18–4 record with a 2.83 ERA.

Since then, Mikolas has been extended twice and made a second All-Star appearance in 2022, when he logged a 3.29 ERA over 32 starts and reinforced his status as a reliable mid-rotation arm.

In 2025, Mikolas has shifted into a back-end rotation role but he has struggled to maintain the consistency that defined his prime.

He made his last start for St. Louis on July 10 and the team decided today that he will pitch Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, giving him ten days of rest between outings.

#STLCards starting pitching rotation for the weekend vs. the #Dbacks :

Friday, July 18 – RHP Andre Pallante (5-5, 4.49 ERA)

Saturday, July 19 – RHP Sonny Gray (9-3, 3.50 ERA)

Sunday, July 20 – RHP Miles Mikolas (5-6, 4.94 ERA)
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) July 17, 2025

The Cardinals entered the All-Star break at 51–46, trailing by 1.5 games in a tightly packed National League Wild Card race as they battle for a postseason berth.

Spreading out Mikolas' starts may be a direct response to his sharp decline this season. Over 18 starts, Mikolas owns a 5–6 record, a 4.94 ERA and has accumulated just 66 strikeouts in 93 innings pitched.

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

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