St. Louis Cardinals Released Infielder Ramon Urias
The team designated the veteran infielder for assignment to make room for prospect JJ Wetherholt.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Baseball
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The St. Louis Cardinals have released infielder Ramon Urias following a season marked by injury and offensive struggles. The move opens a roster spot for JJ Wetherholt.
Why it matters
The team parted ways with Urias after the infielder hit just .151 in 43 games while dealing with persistent elbow issues. This decision allows the organization to focus on younger internal options at the third base position.
Urias finished his stint in St. Louis with 43 games played, four home runs, and a .151 batting average over 100 plate appearances. He previously held a 21-run career Defensive Runs Saved metric at third base.
The players
Ramon Urias
He is an experienced infielder who won a Gold Glove award at third base with the Baltimore Orioles in 2022.
St. Louis Cardinals
They are a professional baseball team competing in the National League Central division of Major League Baseball.
JJ Wetherholt
He is an infielder added to the major league roster following the release of Ramon Urias.
The details
Urias, who signed a one-year, $2 million contract during the 2025-26 offseason, spent significant time on the injured list with lateral epicondylitis in both arms. The Cardinals rank 27th in OPS at third base, prompting the search for new production from players like Blaze Jordan, Nolan Gorman, and Thomas Saggese.
Timeline
In 2022, Urias won a Gold Glove award at third base.
During the winter 2025-2026 offseason, the Cardinals signed Urias.
In May 2026, Urias was first placed on the injured list.
In September 2026, the Cardinals released Ramon Urias.
In 2027, Urias will pursue new Major League Baseball opportunities.
Season Trajectory
The release reflects a shift for the St. Louis Cardinals as they look to improve their 27th-ranked OPS at third base. By clearing roster space, the team is pivotally moving toward internal development for the 2027 season.
The Cardinals will now look to a competition between internal prospects like Blaze Jordan, Nolan Gorman, and Thomas Saggese for playing time at third base. This shift provides an immediate opportunity for these players to improve the team's standing from its current 27th-place OPS rank.
The takeaway
The Cardinals are prioritizing youth and health after Urias struggled with production and durability throughout the 2026 season. Players in similar situations often find success by focusing on health recovery during the offseason before seeking new opportunities.
Further reading
For more news on local roster updates, visit the St. Louis Baseball section.
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