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Cardinals Make Nolan Arenado Decision After Loss to Pirates

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin M. Groe | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 6:15 PM ET

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado is in the midst of his age-34 season in 2025. Drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft, he spent eight seasons with the organization before St. Louis acquired him in February 2021.

Arenado made an immediate impact, helping the Cardinals reach the postseason in both 2021 and 2022. Now in the sixth year of the eight-year, $260 million extension he signed in February 2019, Arenado has built a Hall of Fame–worthy résumé: eight All-Star selections, ten consecutive Gold Glove Awards and five Silver Sluggers.

Over 13 seasons he’s accumulated 351 home runs, driven in 1,173 runs and owns a lifetime .850 OPS—pairing defensive brilliance with offensive production and cementing his status as one of his generation’s elite third basemen.

On Sunday’s 7–0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians, Arenado celebrated his 1,900th career hit and 400th double but jammed his right index finger after landing awkwardly at first base.

Though the injury wasn't initially considered serious—and he served as DH in Monday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates—the Cardinals decided to rest him completely on Tuesday raising concerns.

Birds 'n Bucs pic.twitter.com/Q9babEsX77
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 1, 2025

Entering Tuesday, St. Louis sits at 47–39, holding sole possession of a wild-card spot. Arenado has experienced a slight dip from his career averages this year—he’s batting .247 with 10 homers and a .701 OPS over 80 games.

While below his All-Star standards, his mix of power and Gold Glove–caliber defense remains a stabilizing force as the Cardinals push for the playoffs and his availability moving forward will be pivotal.

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

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