This offseason, the Cardinals aimed to enhance their starting rotation by signing Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson. While they did improve this season, they won’t be making a playoff appearance.
Now, they will also be without Gray for the last few games of the year. He was placed on the Injured List on Saturday, as reported by Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
“Sonny Gray goes on (Injured List), season over,” Goold stated, citing “flexor tendon irritation.”
Gray was expected to be the Cardinals’ ace, and he fulfilled that role in his first season with the team. He signed a three-year, $75 million contract before the 2024 season and had a strong debut.
Although he faced some injuries during 2024, he managed to make 28 starts, posting a 3.84 ERA and an impressive 203-to-39 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 166 1/3 innings. While his performance this season didn’t quite match his 2023 numbers with the Minnesota Twins, he still delivered solid results for St. Louis.
The Cardinals may not reach the playoffs this year, but the season showed signs of progress. If Gray can stay healthy, he is expected to be even better in 2025. With a few additional acquisitions this winter, the Cardinals could potentially make a playoff return in 2025.