The Cardinals placed Tink Hence on the minor-league injured list with a right rib cage sprain. (Source: Jeff Jones on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hence will miss some time due to a rib injury. The top pitching prospect could make some appearances in the majors at some point this season.

Ryan Fernandez was unavailable for Thursday’s game against the Twins due to tightness in his hip.

Fantasy Impact: Fernandez can be considered as day-to-day.

Nolan Arenado went 2-for-4 in the win over the Twins with a home run, one RBI, and one run scored.

Fantasy Impact: Arenado opened the season with a bang, tallying two hits including a solo home run. His .500 batting average sets the tone for what fantasy managers hope is a bounce-back campaign. While it’s just one game, the early signs are encouraging for Arenado to return to consistent mid-tier power production at third base.

Lars Nootbaar went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a home run on Thursday against the Twins.

Fantasy Impact: Nootbaar hit a two-run home run in the second inning off Pablo Lopez. He'll continue to bat at the top of the lineup for the Cardinals.

Sonny Gray allowed two runs on four hits across five innings with six strikeouts and two walks on Thursday against the Twins.

Fantasy Impact: Gray had thrown four scoreless innings before Harrison Bader got to him for a two-run blast. It was a steady start for him to open the season. He is likely to face the Angels in a favorable matchup next.

Ryan Helsley struck out three batters in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Thursday's win over the Twins.

Fantasy Impact: With a perfect outing, Helsley continues to solidify his role as the Cardinals' closer, showcasing impressive strikeout ability and maintaining a zero in ERA early in the season. His elite K/9 rate and lack of walks make him a valuable asset in fantasy leagues, and he should be considered a reliable option moving forward.

Matthew Liberatore will start on Tuesday against the Angels. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Liberatore will start the fifth game of the season for the Cardinals. He will follow Miles Mikolas in the second series against the Angels.

Miles Mikolas will start on Monday against the Angels. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Mikolas will open the second series of the season for the Cardinals. He draws a favorable matchup at home against the Angels.

Andre Pallante will take the mound on Sunday against the Twins. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Pallante will close out the opening series of the season for the Cardinals. He will follow Sonny Gray and Erick Fedde.

Erick Fedde will make his first start of the season on Saturday against the Twins. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Fedde will follow Opening Day starter Sonny Gray to open the season for the Cardinals. Andre Pallante will close out the series.

Masyn Winn might bat ninth for the Cardinals against Twins righty Pablo López on Opening Day, per team updates, shifting from leadoff. (Source: Derrick Goold)

Fantasy Impact: Winn’s 4-for-50 Grapefruit League slump drops him to ninth in Monday’s exhibition versus Triple-A Memphis, a likely Opening Day preview, with Lars Nootbaar leading off. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should roster him cautiously, banking on his upside for value in St. Louis’ 2025 lineup if he climbs from the bottom against righties.

Nick Anderson went unclaimed after his upward mobility clause and will report to Triple-A Memphis, per team updates, staying with the Cardinals. (Source: Ari Alexander)

Fantasy Impact: Anderson misses the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster Monday but remains as relief depth in Memphis, with a May 30 opt-out if not called up. Fantasy managers in deep dynasty leagues should stash him, banking on his experience for a potential 2025 call-up to St. Louis’ bullpen if he performs well or injuries strike the big-league staff.

Alec Burleson will split time at first base and DH with Willson Contreras, per team updates, benefiting from St. Louis’ outfield alignment. (Source: Derrick Goold)

Fantasy Impact: Burleson’s .292/.341/.464 line against righties last year locks in his at-bats versus right-handed pitching, as Victor Scott’s center field win squeezes Nolan Gorman, per the Cardinals’ Sunday plan. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should roster him, banking on his bat for solid value in St. Louis’ 2025 lineup with this secure role against right-handers.

Nolan Gorman’s starts could dip with Victor Scott as the Cardinals’ center fielder, per team updates, shifting lineup priorities for St. Louis. (Source: Derrick Goold)

Fantasy Impact: Scott’s center field role pushes Lars Nootbaar to left and Brendan Donovan to second, leaving Gorman to vie with Alec Burleson for DH reps, with a .553 spring OPS and last year’s .671 OPS. He’ll face righties some. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should roster him cautiously, banking on limited pop in St. Louis’ 2025 lineup if he gets spot starts.

The Cardinals have optioned Jose Fermin to Triple-A Memphis. (Source: Cardinals on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Fermin was originally slated to begin the season on the Cardinals' roster, but will now start the season in Triple-A. He will likely be recalled when the team has an opening on the bench.

The Cardinals sent Michael McGreevy to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, per team updates, despite a stellar spring performance in the rotation race. (Source: St. Louis Cardinals)

Fantasy Impact: McGreevy’s 1.08 ERA and 12:0 K:BB in 16.2 spring innings fall short as Matthew Liberatore takes the fifth-starter role and Steven Matz shifts to relief, with a six-man rotation eyed for April 16. The 24-year-old waits. Fantasy managers in dynasty leagues should stash him, banking on his control for a mid-April 2025 Cardinals rotation spot.

Michael Siani will serve as a reserve as Victor Scott claims St. Louis’ Opening Day center field spot, per team updates, following their spring competition. (Source: Derrick Goold)

Fantasy Impact: Siani’s .334 OPS over 47 spring plate appearances pales next to Scott’s surge, pushing him to the Cardinals’ fourth outfielder role Sunday despite making the roster. The 25-year-old lefty takes a backseat. Fantasy managers in deep dynasty leagues should stash him, banking on his glove and speed for spot value in St. Louis’ 2025 outfield if opportunities arise.

Victor Scott will start in center field for the Cardinals on Opening Day, per team updates, edging out competition with a standout spring performance. (Source: Derrick Goold)

Fantasy Impact: Scott’s .366/.469/.756 spring line, with 4 homers and 5 steals in 15 games, outshines his .179/.219/.283 MLB debut over 155 plate appearances last year, securing the Cardinals’ center field job over Michael Siani. The 24-year-old’s speed pops. Fantasy managers in all leagues should roster him, banking on his 99th percentile sprint speed for big stolen base totals in St. Louis’ 2025 lineup.

The Cardinals reassigned José Barrero to minor-league camp Wednesday, per team updates, with José Fermín likely taking the final bench spot instead. (Source: Francys Romero)

Fantasy Impact: Barrero, vying for the Cardinals’ last bench role, heads to Triple-A Memphis Wednesday after losing out to Fermín, set for regular play at shortstop and outfield. The 26-year-old’s versatility remains a plus. Fantasy managers in deep dynasty leagues might stash him, hoping his multi-position skills earn a midseason call-up if St. Louis needs infield or outfield depth in 2025.

The Cardinals reassigned Ryan Vilade to minor-league camp Sunday, per team updates, part of a 12-player cut ahead of Opening Day, after a stint with the Tigers last year. (Source: St. Louis Cardinals)

Fantasy Impact: Vilade, with a .178/.208/.244 line over 17 games for the Tigers in 2024, heads to Triple-A Memphis after Sunday’s Cardinals roster trim. The 26-year-old utility player’s bat struggled last season. Fantasy managers in deep dynasty leagues might stash him, hoping his versatility sparks a midseason call-up if St. Louis needs infield or outfield depth.