Packy

Naughton

Fernandez made 32 relief appearances for the Cardinals as a rookie last season and will open the year back in the minors as extra organizational depth. Naughton is one of the more prominent names here as he figures to be an option for St. Louis in middle relief at some point during the year. Jordan is a power-hitting corner infield prospect with some thunder in his bat and could wind up getting a look at some point later this season.

Naughton underwent forearm surgery in 2023 and experienced a setback while rehabbing in 2024, costing him all of last year. The 29-year-old has a 4.98 ERA in 59 2/3 major league innings. He’ll probably have to succeed in Triple-A for a spell this year if he’s going to get another chance with the Cardinals.

Naughton announced the deal on Instagram, which will keep him with the Cardinals as he continues his rehabilitation after missing all of last year recovering from flexor tendon surgery. The 28-year-old southpaw has made 37 appearances in the big leagues dating back to 2021.

Naughton has already begun throwing live BP sessions, and the 28-year-old now is close to facing competition from other teams. The southpaw underwent surgery to repair his flexor tendon last June. Once healthy, Naughton could help the Cardinals in a relief role.

Hence is regarded as one of the Cardinals’ top pitching prospects and has a chance to ascend to the big leagues later on this year. Gómez has put up massive power numbers in the upper minors, but has yet to get a chance at the highest level. Naughton is merely extra organizational pitching depth at this juncture of his career.

The 27-year-old southpaw is still working his way back from last June’s forearm surgery. He’ll continue throwing regularly during Spring Training and should progress to facing live hitters before the end of March. Naughton made four appearances out of the Cardinals’ bullpen in 2023 — posting a 0.60 WHIP and 5/1 K/BB ratio across five scoreless frames.

The move opens up a spot on the Cardinals’ 40-man roster to protect an additional prospect from next month’s Rule 5 Draft. The 27-year-old southpaw underwent forearm surgery back in June. It’s unclear when he’ll be ready to pitch again at this juncture.

No word yet on the exact type of surgical procedure or how long Naughton will be sidelined, but there’s a strong possibility he’s done for the year. He was shut down earlier this month after experiencing renewed left forearm discomfort during his minor league rehab appearance.

Naughton has been sidelined for two months with a forearm strain. It’s possible he’s going to require season-ending surgery.

Naughton has been on the shelf since early April due to a left forearm strain and isn’t likely to return to the Cardinals’ relief mix until sometime later this month.