The St. Louis Cardinals have quietly had a strong display of baseball since MLB’s All-Star break.
This weekend, the Cardinals are playing the Philadelphia Phillies, which is a series with NL Wild Card implications.
Before the Phillies series began, the Cardinals announced some concerning news on starting pitcher Andre Pallante, who has been St. Louis’s ace this season.
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Andre Pallante Heads to IL
GettyST LOUIS, MISSOURI – JUNE 3: Andre Pallante #53 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the Texas Rangers in the third inning at Busch Stadium on June 3, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
According to multiple sources, Andre Pallante is headed to the IL with elbow inflammation.
It’s likely that Quinn Matthews will be recalled to make a spot start or two in Pallante’s absense, but undoubtedly it’s a tough injury decision for the Cardinals to have to deal with.
Taking a step back and looking at the Cardinals’ season thus far, St. Louis has been incredibly lucky with starter health, or perhaps it’s something the coaching staff has perfected, but the Cardinals have not been affected like other teams this season in regard to SP injuries.
RedBirdRants.com’s Josh Jacobs wrote (after the Pallante IL announcement):
“In a surprise piece of news today, the St. Louis Cardinals have placed right-handed starter Andre Pallante on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Quinn Mathews will start on Saturday, while Ryan Fernandez will replace Pallante’s roster spot for Friday’s game. It is unclear who the Cardinals will make the corresponding move to bring up Mathews this weekend.”
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Taking a Look at Andre Pallante This Season
GettyCINCINNATI, OHIO – AUGUST 17: Andre Pallante #53 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws a pitch during the second inning of game two of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 17, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
Andre Pallante is quietly putting together a career year for the St. Louis Cardinals in his fifth season with the club.
Over 24 starts, he’s posted an ERA of 3.57 with 97 strikeouts in 136 innings.
His pWAR (2.2) would be the highest mark of his career, and the 24 starts he’s made is already a career-high, while the 3.57 ERA would be a career best in 130+ innings pitched.
The Cardinals have quietly been playing much lately and are still in the thick of things in the NL Wild Card, but it’s unclear how the team will respond to this injury news.
St. Louis Cardinals Announce Andre Pallante News Before Phillies Series