In the early stages of the 2025 season, the Cardinals have been a different team away from home.
St. Louis, losers of the first five on this trip, faces Atlanta at 6:15 p.m. (St. Louis time) on Tuesday in the second of three.
Before the game, the Cardinals activated shortstop Masyn Winn from the injured list and sent outfielder Michael Siani to Triple-A Memphis.
Winn, who was sidelined with back spasms, will start at short and bat ninth. Siani had appeared mostly as a late-game defensive replacement this season. He started just four games.
For a team struggling to hit away from home, Winn could provide a needed lift.
Winn, who hit two home runs Saturday in a rehab games with Class AAA Memphis, is one of just three active Cardinals position players with solid road numbers.
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The 23-year-old is hitting .348 with a .901 on-base plus slugging percentage in six road games, joining Brendan Donovan and Thomas Saggese as the only active Cardinals with above-league-average OPS numbers away from home.
Overall, the Cardinals have a .642 OPS on the road, nearly 200 points worse than at home, leading in part to a 1-10 start away from home, the second-worst in team history.
The offense showed signs of life Monday, scoring more runs (6) and recording more hits (11) than in any of the team's previous seven road contests.
Right-hander Andre Pallante (2-1, 3.22) will take the mound for St. Louis, which has also struggled to pitch effectively away from home. Its 6.46 road ERA is worst in baseball and the franchise's worst ever through 11 road games.
Pallante faces a stiff challenge in the Braves, one of baseball's better offensive teams at home so far. Truist Park ranks in the top-third of .
The Braves will send out an opener,Ìýright-hander Scott Blewett (0-0, 1.00), to take the mound. The Braves acquired Blewett for cash two days ago from Baltimore. He has not gone more than 2 2/3 innings this year.
Spencer Strider was originally scheduled to start Tuesday for Atlanta, but he sprained his hamstring on Monday, requiring a trip to the injured list.
After seemingly facing a strong starting pitcher every day recently, the Strider injury provides a bit of a respite for the Cardinals in the form of two straight games vs. lesser quality starters. In Wednesday's finale, the Braves will start Bryce Elder and his 7.20 ERA.
The Cardinals are 9-14 overall and 1-10 in road games. Atlanta is 9-13 overall and 7-2 at home.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Lars Nootbaar, LF
2. Willson Contreras, 1B
3. Nolan Gorman, 2B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Alec Burleson, DH
6. Jordan Walker, RF
7. Pedro Pagés, C
8. Victor Scott II, CF
9. Masyn Winn, SS
P: Andre Pallante, RHP
BRAVES
1. Alex Verdugo, LF
2. Austin Riley, 3B
3. Marcell Ozuna, DH
4. Matt Olson, 1B
5. Ozzie Albies, 2B
6. Michael Harris II, CF
7. Sean Murphy, C
8. Jarred Kelenic, RF
9. Orlando Arcia, SS
P: Scott Blewett, RHP
Injury report
Brendan Donovan, UT (rib subluxation): The Cardinals' utility fielder had a rib slip out of place overnight and had to have it reset Tuesday, several hours before game time. Donova's torso remained sore, and the team was not sure whether he would miss a day or two. The club is confident he will not go on the injured list.ÌýA subluxation is when the rib shifts but does not completely dislocate, and it can cause dull pain or a real sharp, stabbing pain if not addressed.ÌýUpdated April 22
Ivan Herrera, C (bone bruise):ÌýBegan a baserunning progression back in St. Louis and has steadily increased his other baseball activity. He's catching pitches off the velocity pitching machine, and he's also hitting pitches off the velocity pitching machine. Herrera is running in straight lines and will, depending on his comfort, start rounding bases in near future.ÌýÌýUpdated April 21
Zack Thompson, LHP (lat strain): Remained in Jupiter, Florida, to begin a throwing program after a month of limited activity and no throwing. Thompson went through multiple checkups and scans to monitor the healing of a tear in his lat on the left side, and they did not show any setback to delayed Thompson's scheduled move to the injured list. On April 7, Thompson was transferred to the 60-day IL. Updated April 7
