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Cardinals Make Surprising Announcement On Surging Infielder

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zach Kaplan | Last updated Apr 29, 2025 11:47 AM ET

With a record of 11-17 entering Monday's series opener against the Cincinnati Reds, the St. Louis Cardinals have been needing a spark to drive them to the top of a favorable National League Central division.

Before Monday's game, which saw them lose 3-1 to Cincinnati, the Cardinals made a surprising decision that came full circle for a young player.

St. Louis had signed Jose Barrero, formerly a top prospect for the Reds, to a minor-league deal in November, and they decided to add Barrero to their roster for the series against the Reds. To make room for Barrero, however, they made a move that surprised many.

The Cardinals chose to send down Thomas Saggese to Triple-A, which seems fairly innocuous to non-Cardinals fans.

Saggese put up really strong numbers in 44 plate appearances, however, slashing .341/.364/.512 in a limited sample size. According to MLB.com's John Denton, who reports on the Cardinals, the team would rather Saggese get playing time every day as opposed to sporadically on the major league squad.

Barrero hit .186 in 139 games for the Reds between 2020 and 2023 with four home runs and 32 RBIs. Barrero impressed in Spring Training for the Cardinals, stealing four bases, hitting two home runs and driving in eight runs in 24 games, much to do with a new swing approach by Cardinals hitting coach Brant Brown.

Barrero hit .299 with five doubles, one triple, four home runs and 13 RBIs in 23 games for Triple-A Memphis.

Barrero didn't appear in Monday's 3-1 loss, but seems set to get regular playing time in the outfield with the early results from outfielders Jordan Walker and Victor Scott II leaving a lot to be desired.

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

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