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When looking back at how his spring training began, Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera feels it “didn’t start well� for him, considering his quiet showing at the plate. But when he factors in how it ended, the finish is one that bred a “confidence� he’ll look to take with him into the regular season when it begins Thursday — with a milestone moment for him as his club’s opening day starting catcher.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol named Herrera the club’s starting catcher for their season opener vs. the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium, which will mark the 24-year-old Herrera’s first opening day start of his MLB career.

“I feel really confident right now,� Herrera said Wednesday following a team workout at Busch Stadium “That’s the key for me. I know my teammates trust me. The coaches (do). Everybody does. Just having the spring is just going to give me a good taste of how the season is going to go.�

Herrera comes into the 2025 one half of the Cardinals catching tandem at the big league level alongside Pedro Pages. The two split catching duties in the majors last season for extended stretches when catcher turned first baseman Willson Contreras was sidelined because of a fractured left forearm and a fractured right middle finger.

“Pedro and me were there for the team,� Herrera said. “I think we did a great job communicating with the pitchers, and we played really good. We’re going to try to keep that going.�

Ahead of the opening day start for Herrera, Marmol said Herrera and Pages, 26, both played well over spring training and are “both going to get a decent amount of playing time behind the plate and get their fair share of at-bats.�

For Herrera, who debuted in 2022 and had brief big league time in 2023 before making his first opening day roster in 2024, Marmol said the opening day start is “very special� and pointed to the 24-year-old’s growth in recent years.

“You look at where he came from two years and just his overall game planning and ability to recall information and where he’s at today,� Marmol said. “He’s putting in a lot more time and understands what it takes to game plan for the opposition, to really understand his pitcher and gain their trust. I know over the last couple of years he’s done a nice job of that.�

After going hitless in his first nine at-bats to begin the Grapefruit League, Herrera put himself in the hit column with a pair of doubles in a March 5 game against the Houston Astros. The jump-start to his spring was followed by a two-hit performance in his next game in which he homered and doubled.

Herrera finished the Grapefruit League with a .458 batting average, five doubles, eight RBIs and an equal amount of strikeouts and walks (nine) in his final 10 games before the Cardinals flew north from Jupiter, Florida, to St. Louis.

Coming off the strong finish to spring, Herrera said “confidence is key� for him.

“Once I start feeling confidence, I think I just keep it that way,� Herrera said. “I think that stretch that I had hitting well, I learned a couple of things about hitting. There’s always room for improvement in this game. You never stop learning. ... I’m just trying to keep it simple — short and quick to the ball and hit the ball hard. That’s it.�

Gray better ahead of start

After dealing with a flu-like illness this past week, Cardinals opening day starter Sonny Gray said he feels “great� ahead of his Thursday start against the Twins.

“I was banged up for about a day and a half, but that was early in the week,� Gray said. “I feel great. I feel strong. Yesterday, I felt normal. Felt really good. Today, I feel great. I’ll be ready.�

Marmol said his club will keep a “close eye� on the right-hander in the start.

“Usually when you come out of an illness like that, you seem to lose strength quicker. ... He’s good about communicating in game and telling us how he feels. He’s honest about it. We’ll definitely keep our eye out and make sure he’s feeling good as the game goes on.�

The start for Gray, 35, will be the fourth opening day start of his career and his first as a Cardinal. A Cardinals free-agent signee in November 2023, Gray was named the starter for the 2024 season opener but began the season on the injured list with a hamstring injury.

Gray comes into the 2025 opener after allowing 20 runs (all earned) in 14 1/3 innings across four Grapefruit League starts his spring. He allowed eight home runs and experienced dips in his fastball velocity.

“I’m just going to play the game,� Gray responded when asked how much attention he’d pay to his velocity readings. “Go out, play, and go out and try to win a baseball game. That’s kind of it.�

Winn takes part in full workout

Starting shortstop Masyn Winn practiced fully with the club during Wednesday’s workout and appeared to show no setbacks in his ankle that folded under him during an exhibition game on Monday at AutoZone Park in Memphis vs. the Class AAA Redbirds. Marmol noted Winn felt fine on Tuesday ahead of the workout.