St Louis Cardinals Masyn Winn to Undergo Knee Surgery

The St Louis Cardinals have confirmed that shortstop Masyn Winn will undergo arthroscopic surgery this Thursday in Dallas to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee. The club and its fans can breathe a collective sigh of relief, as the procedure is considered minor and Winn is fully expected to be ready for the start of 2026 Spring Training.

The news puts an end to a challenging second half for the 23-year-old phenom, who bravely played through the injury for months while the St. Louis Cardinals clung to slim postseason aspirations. That grit and determination are exactly what you want to see from a young franchise cornerstone, but the pain clearly took its toll at the plate.

How Did the Injury Impact Winn’s 2025 Season?

After a promising rookie campaign, Winn’s offensive production saw a noticeable dip in his second full major league season. He finished with a .253/.310/.363 slash line across 537 plate appearances, a clear regression from his .267/.314/.415 line, 15 homers, and 32 doubles a year ago.

The impact of the knee injury becomes undeniable when you zero in on his performance down the stretch. As the pain lingered, Winn’s numbers cratered. Over his final 132 trips to the plate, he hit just .198/.265/.281. The St Louis Cardinals’ front office finally made the tough but necessary call to shut him down in mid-September, shifting his focus from a long-shot playoff push to getting healthy for 2026.

What Does Winn’s Defensive Prowess Mean for the Cardinals?

While his bat may have suffered, Winn’s glove remained nothing short of electric. In a testament to his toughness and elite skill, he didn’t let the injury affect his defensive play. He was a human highlight reel at the infield’s most demanding position, solidifying his reputation as one of the game’s premier defenders.

The advanced metrics back it up. According to Statcast, Winn recorded an incredible 22 Outs Above Average, second only to the Royals’ superstar Bobby Witt Jr. among all shortstops. He committed just three errors in over 1100 innings of work. That kind of sure-handed defense is the bedrock of a successful team, and it’s a major reason why the St Louis Cardinals’ front office views him as an indispensable piece of the puzzle. His ability to anchor the infield defense gives the team a reliable foundation to build upon.

What is the St Louis Cardinals’ Plan Moving Forward?

With Winn sidelined for the remainder of the season, Thomas Saggese has stepped in to handle shortstop duties. However, there’s no debate about who the long-term answer is. Assuming his rehab goes according to plan, Winn will walk into spring training as the unquestioned starting shortstop for the St Louis Cardinals.

His value to the organization is immense. Winn is still a year away from arbitration eligibility and remains under club control for four more seasons, making him an affordable and foundational asset. While the St Louis Cardinals may explore trading some veteran pieces during the offseason to retool the roster, the idea of them moving Winn is practically unthinkable. He represents the future of this franchise, a dynamic talent whose blend of defensive wizardry and offensive potential makes him a player to build around for years to come. The upcoming surgery is just a minor speed bump on his path to stardom.