Central STL News

A day after receiving positive news with the return of third baseman Nolan Arenado and right fielder Jordan Walker, the St. Louis Cardinals faced a setback as second baseman Nolan Gorman was placed on the injured list due to lower back pain. The decision came after imaging revealed inflammation but no structural damage.

“We had a pretty good idea that this was going to be a little bit more than just a couple days,” said manager Oliver Marmol before the Cardinals’ 10-1 loss to the D-backs at Chase Field. “Just how he was feeling and the fact that it flared up on him.”

Gorman has experienced similar issues in previous seasons, having missed time in April with a right hamstring strain and enduring two IL stints in 2023 for back and hamstring problems.

Marmol addressed concerns about Gorman's recurring back issue: “I’ve had to answer that question every year he’s been with us,” he stated. “It flares up every year at some point, and it’s just part of it.”

Despite these challenges, Gorman remains optimistic about his recovery. “It’s not ideal, but it is what it is for now,” he commented. “I’ll get it better and come back stronger."

Gorman's absence from games in Phoenix is particularly disappointing as he grew up there and attended Sandra Day O'Connor High School before being drafted by the Cardinals in 2018.

“It’s probably disappointing for them that they don’t get to watch me play, but this is my job,” Gorman remarked regarding his family missing out on seeing him play.

Gorman will return to St. Louis for reevaluation on Monday while taking some time to visit familiar places in his home state.

Reflecting on past experiences at Chase Field, Marmol shared an anecdote from 2022 when Gorman made his Major League debut: “The whole time, I’m sitting there going, ‘Please, please get a hit.’ Thankfully, he did.” Gorman's pinch-hit RBI single contributed to a memorable victory for the Cardinals.