Nolan Arenado returned to the St. Louis Cardinals lineup on Monday after being sidelined since July 30 with a strained right shoulder. In his first game back, Arenado contributed offensively with a run-scoring single and a double, while also playing strong defense at third base.
After the Cardinals’ 11-6 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, Arenado addressed his future with the team and acknowledged the organization’s direction toward rebuilding and focusing on younger players. “It seems like that’s where this organization is headed,” Arenado said. “Whatever, but what’s best for me is probably to come back healthy and show that I’m hitting the ball hard.
“But I think what this organization is heading toward is young players and letting them go [with playing time]. That just comes with the territory, and I see it.”
Arenado will turn 35 early next season. He expressed that returning to play reminded him of his passion for baseball, despite an injury-interrupted season in which he has hit .238/.296/.370 with 10 home runs, 16 doubles, and 44 RBIs in 97 games. He indicated he could still be productive for a contending team if a trade opportunity arises in the offseason.
The Cardinals attempted to trade Arenado to Houston last December, but he exercised his no-trade clause due to concerns about changes in the Astros’ roster. Should another chance present itself this offseason, Arenado suggested he might be more open to leaving because of St. Louis’ shift toward younger talent.
“As you get older — and this year with the injuries and performance things it hasn’t gone the way I liked — but I just don’t feel like I’m done,” said Arenado. “I feel like I’ve still got a lot of good ball left in me.”
Arenado spent three weeks rehabbing at Spring Training headquarters in Jupiter, Florida before joining Double-A Springfield for four games as part of his return process. He stated that he hopes to play in all remaining games this season to demonstrate his health and value.
On Monday night, Arenado’s defensive skills were evident when he made a sliding stop at third base in the ninth inning. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol commented on Arenado’s impact: “He made that really [nice] play that saved a couple more runs, even though we were already down and he did a really nice job at third — something he’s done all year,” Marmol said. “[Arenado] swung the bat well and drove in that run. I’m really happy to see him back in the lineup.”
Arenado explained that while resting helped restore his swing after injury, regaining full arm strength was more challenging due to time away from throwing during recovery. “I wouldn’t sit here and say my arm is … it doesn’t hurt, but it’s just not 100 percent with my strength,” Arenado admitted. “I can still make the good throws, but I’ve got to keep working through it, playing catch every day and get my strength again. But as far as pain goes, there was no pain, so that’s nice.”
The Cardinals continue their season as they look ahead to further decisions regarding veteran players like Arenado amid ongoing roster changes.
