TODAY: The Cardinals have officially announced Winn’s IL placement. Jose Fermin was called up from Triple-A to take Winn’s spot on the active roster.
FRIDAY: Winn will be placed on the IL Saturday and is out for the season, according to manager Oli Marmol (as reported by Katie Woo of The Athletic). Thomas Saggese played shortstop tonight as the Cardinals fell to the Brewers at American Family Field; he’s started each of the last three games there.
WEDNESDAY: Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn has a torn meniscus in his right knee. He will require arthroscopic surgery at some point but is going to attempt to play through the ailment for the rest of the year. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Katie Woo of The Athletic relayed the details of the situation. Goold says that Winn has actually been playing with the tear for months.
On the surface, it seems like an odd decision. But the way it’s framed, Winn has been assured that he’s unlikely make the issue any worse by continue to run out there, so there’s no risk of exacerbating the issue. Once he goes under the knife, the recovery period will be short enough that his 2026 season won’t be impacted. Even if he delays the procedure through the end of the season, he can still be healthy by spring training.
Since there’s nothing much to be gained by having the surgery now and no apparent harm in delaying things, he’ll try to help the Cards as they hover on the fringes of the playoff race. They are currently 72-74, which puts them 4.5 games back of the floundering Mets, who currently hold the final National League Wild Card spot.
“I feel like I owe it to these guys to finish the year strong,” Winn said. “I definitely don’t want to cash it in this early. We technically still have a shot (at the playoffs). I want to go out there and compete for that. But I want to do it for my pitchers, really. I know these guys want me out there at shortstop. I want to be there. So I’m going to have time in the offseason to recover. I feel like I can play this one out.”
Though he can tolerate the pain somewhat, he may still need some days off. “One of those days that it doesn’t feel as good as others,” manager Oli Marmol said of Winn not playing on Tuesday. “So, no reason to push through it. We’ve agreed to if it’s not feeling good enough to go then we would give him the day. And he’s amazing at communicating that.”
Winn is having a strong season in terms of his shortstop defense. He has been credited with four Defensive Runs Saved and a huge tally of 22 Outs Above Average. The former figure puts him in the top ten of shortstops this year, while the latter figure is the best in the majors regardless of position.
The offense has been a bit less impressive. He has hit .253/.310/.363 for a 91 wRC+ this year, a drop from last year’s .267/.314/.416 line and 104 wRC+. It’s possible the knee issue has been holding him back at the plate. He was hitting .276/.352/.435 for a 123 wRC+ through the end of May but has a .240/.287/.324 line and 73 wRC+ since the start of June.
Winn is still under club control for four more seasons after this one. He won’t qualify for arbitration until after the 2026 season. Perhaps a healthier knee will help him take a step forward at the plate next year, but he’s still a valuable player now thanks to his excellent glovework.
When Winn is not playing, Thomas Saggese has taken some time at short and will likely continue to do so. Some extra infield help is on the way, as Goold and Woo note that Brendan Donovan and Nolan Arenado are each nearing returns from the injured list.
One thing that is not under consideration is a promotion of shortstop prospect JJ Wetherholt. He has good numbers in his first 38 Triple-A games but Woo notes that he has missed the five most recent contests due to soreness from a non-baseball ailment. Even though he’s returning to action this week, the Cards will seemingly keep him on the farm. He won’t be Rule 5 eligible until December of 2027, so delaying his promotion means that the Cards won’t need to have him on the 40-man this winter.
He has dabbled at second base and third base in the minors. Given Winn’s elite defense, perhaps Wetherholt will be moved to one of those positions going forward. The Cards have Arenado signed through 2027 and he’s still a good defender but his offense has been subpar this year. Moving his contract may be tough, especially with his no-trade clause, so perhaps he will be at the hot corner again next year. Second base is a bit more open. Guys like Saggese, Donovan and Nolan Gorman are in the mix there but they can play other positions.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Curry, Imagn Images
Cool to try to battle through it for your teammates but he should know the organization will hold his subpar numbers against him come arbitration time.
Arbitration from what I have read still uses a lot of old school numbers, focusing on things like counting stats over more advanced analytics so debatably playing through this much set him up better for arbitration. Especially if he can take a big step forward next year when healthy.
Yes, they do use batting average and things like that to my knowledge.
All of which seem to have declined post injury.
he’ll have more to argue having played than accruing a year of service time on the IL.
Exactly why they are doing it. Plus Winn wants the gold glove which I think he has already won. Maybe he wants the Platinum?
He told me he didn’t care about a gold glove. When did he tell you otherwise?
Why?
Wants a Gold Glove.
And a meniscus tear can be a little painful, but isn’t a threat to knee health from what I understand. Procedure is arthroscopic and takes a few weeks to heal, so scoping it now would end his season.
It’s his choice, at this point.
I agree Ol’Uncle. I believe he is playing through cos he is after a gold glove.
He has a solid glove and a cannon for an arm. Ozzie still hangs around with the players hosting Cardinals Insider, and I know Masyn has spent time with him receiving tips and picking Ozzie’s brain about defense at ss.
Hes gonna be in the conversation for the Platinum glove I believe.
Winn “deserves the NL Gold Glove” at Shortstop for 2025!!
(If he doesn’t get it, it’d be just like anything else – now a days – it’d be for political reasons).
Are you a doctor? Otherwise be quiet you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Just forwarding the information that people who know have said.
You may note above, PP44, the original poster asked a question; he’s asking that people not be quiet, so EABOD.
I just recommend that he not run a marathon with a torn meniscus. Tried that. It was bad, The surgery is quick. He can have it after the season and come back just fine.
@why thanks for sharing that. I’ve heard medical sports people say the same thing.
It’s only a “simple surgery” is only truly simple if it’s done on someone else. I had a so-called “simple arthroscopic surgery” to repair a partial tear of my left knee in September of 1994. I developed a staph infection post-op. I came within 24-48 hrs of losing my leg from the knee down. I’ve had major issues with my knee ever since. I eventually had knee replacement surgery in April of 2015.
This seems really risky and super unnecessary to me. You’re a young guy who the franchise is hoping turns into a franchise cornerstone, in a season where your team is not making the playoffs barring some extremely unlikely scenarios, there is no reason to possibly jeopardize your future for a couple of likely meaningless weeks of games
If it was risky he wouldn’t be playing. The article said it won’t get worse, which I assume came from doctors’ conciliation
He’s playing with a tear. The knee is compromised. It’s the possible secondary injuries he should be always be concerned about because other body parts will be compensating for it. His hips for example.
100% Yankees Bleacher Creatures- That is how the body works. I have had plenty of sports injuries I have tried to play through that caused other injuries. My trainer told me the same thing and I ignored him thinking it was best for the team. Masyn should look at his future earnings and shut it down. I think he is hoping he wins the Platinum glove and later that helps in arbitration years.
consultation*
You’re a knucklehead. He’s already taught once, doing the same thing he does every day, and you’re telling me it can’t happen again, or get worse.? knucklehead
Ok doctor pistol pete, what other scientific breakthroughs have you discovered recently?
He’s a gamer. Rub some dirt on it and get back out there. Far too many babies out there in the modern game…
Yes that makes sense. I assume you also believe in witchcraft and the devil so right up there on the ignorant illiterate scale.
I love your response
I mean he is kinda right, guys don’t gut through things like they used to, say what you will many will say it is better now. But objectively there aren’t many Ronnie lotts anymore.
@Never Remember
You sounds like you’ve got some mental health issues. Maybe seek help?
No
I remember the old concussion protocol when I was in the minors.
“How many fingers do I have up?”
“19”
“You’re good. Get back out there!”
@This one belongs to the Reds
Yes, sir! Works like a charm.
Wrap it in an ace bandage.
Dirt is the most effective cure-all for torn ligaments!
Hard to imagine an injured part of the leg that running won’t make worse, but maybe the meniscus doesn’t actually do anything.
I know that the medical professionals said that he can’t do further damage or whatever, but man this feels like a super unnecessary risk. If they were in the playoff hunt? Sure. But 4.5 back with 16 games left, that’s a very tough hill to climb. Gotta leap over a few teams as well.
I’d rather he go ahead and get the surgery now.
Yup. Let’s set up a Go Fund Me account for him. Mozeliak doesn’t want the cost coming out of his budget.
Mozeliak is an “Exiting Idiot” — Thank God!!!
The Cardinals should be signing this guy long term.
Maybe the only guy on the team that they should (you could make an argument for Donovan), but he’s a keeper.
Agree 1000%
1 million % he should be signed long term. If this was the Braves or Brewers he would be signed for 10 years already.
The Cardinals TV announcers have mentioned that the coaches have instructed Winn not to go all out running to 1B on obvious outs. They want him to save himself. That sounds to me like there is a chance for further injury or else they wouldn’t ask him to play it safe. The Cardinals should step in and encourage him to shut it down. Every 23 year old thinks he’s invincible. He’s not. The Cardinals are morons.
Just total numskulls our trainers and coached
I hope he doesn’t feel compelled to play because of the Cardinals’ lack of other SS options. I’d be fine with Saggese at short for the rest of the reason if it meant Masyn would get his surgery now. Completely unnecessary to keep playing.
They have other short stops or guys I can play it
He hasn’t said this recently but part of me feels like he thinks playing now will give him the best chance at a gold glove. I think he said that was his goal prior to the season. I don’t blame him if that’s why he’s doing it
At 23 and a budding star, I get it. Tis but a scratch. His handlers should be more convincing to tell him to chill out. Hope he gets what he wants.
@Two pitch mix –
It’s not even close at Shortstop. He has the gold glove in the NL.
He leads the MLB in OAA so I think he wants the Platinum and that is why he is pushing himself. I wish he wouldn’t. Cards need him a couple years down the road and need to lock him up and sign him for the future now.
This article really undersells Winn. He’s an incredible defender. Yes, the knee has likely impacted him at the plate at least power-wise, but he’s a highlight reel nightly. The best at SS for the Cardinals since Ozzie.
Just totally ignorant by the organization to have them out there now. Is there an adult in the room that knows what they’re doing at the Cardinals? I can’t believe his agent allows this. All to try to get a golden glove award.? Totally stupid.
Put Saggese there
Can’t see JJ being in triple A next year he is too good. Prob at 2nd or 3rd Or DH too good a hitter of course he hasn’t proved it a MLB level
Arenado will be at third. JJ will be at second.
Chasing that Gold Glove. Hope he gets it – the first of many.
STL is not realistically competing for anything. Get your knee fixed now.
Meniscus isnt a huge deal. He wants gold glove and platinum glove, that’s worth playing for
Mark McGwire had knee issues hold him back offensively for a few years
Think they platoon JJ and Arenado @ 3rd in 2026.
Heck of a year for the kid. Looking forward to a Cardinal infield with this fella’s fantastic glove for a long long time!
2025 Arenado:
1.0 bWAR
86 OPS+
Nobody is trading for that performance and the further decline that seems likely.
Maysin Winn isn’t just all glove anymore. He’s developing into a hitter —- along with his great fielding —- much quicker that Ozzie added the consistent hitting to his resume.
Hopefully—- and it does seem he’s understanding that more and more —- Maysin is more valuable to the Cardinals as a table setting, —- the hitting for Average, type of hitter, rather than a power hitter!!!!
Maysins homeruns will come by just making solid contact to get on base with singles and doubles!!!
Just by getting on base —- his speed and other attributes will make him a much more valuable offensive ball player than it would if he actual desired to be only a power-hitter and strikeout artist such as Nolan Gorman!!!
See you next season Maysin Winn!!!
As the table setting hitter — with speed and the Gold Glove infielder — with a cannon for an Arm!!!
Now possibly, he can work on not yelling the F word at home plate after he strikes out. All of the players that do that should face stiff fines. How classless.
So glad to see in the game he is out for the season FINALLY!!!!