Contreras (hand) will serve as the Cardinals' designated hitter and No. 3 batter Tuesday versus the Phillies.

Contreras still isn't able to squeeze his catcher's mitt due to lingering soreness in his left hand and admits that "it does bother me to swing a little bit," per John Denton of MLB.com. However, he's feeling well enough to DH in this one and is hoping to be ready to catch by this weekend. Ivan Herrera is getting another start behind the plate Tuesday.

Stubbs went 1-for-4 with one run and one stolen base in Monday's win against the Cardinals.

Playing in a mere two games since Opening Day, the 30-year-old has gone 2-for-7 with a run and a stolen base. Currently locked in as No. 2 catcher behind J.T. Realmuto, Stubbs' position could be reevaluated when Rafael Marchan returns from his back injury.

Delay (knee) remains shut down from all baseball activities, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Delay has been out for the last week with right knee inflammation and appears to have made little-to-no progress. He's eligible for activation in mid-April, but clearly the catcher will not be ready at that time.

Rodriguez (elbow) will begin a swinging progression from the left side next week, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

It's the next step in recovery as Rodriguez continues to work his way back from offseason Tommy John surgery. He'll be sidelined until 2025.

Grandal (foot) will begin baserunning drills in the coming days, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Grandal has been participating in simulated games as he works his way back from plantar fasciitis in his left foot. He wouldn't appear too far off from a rehab assignment if baserunning goes well, setting up the veteran catcher to potentially return before the end of April.

Herrera went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and two total runs scored in Monday's 5-3 extra-inning loss to the Phillies.

Herrera has gotten an extended run of playing time while Willson Contreras (hand) remains out of the lineup. Over his last five contests, Herrera has gone 7-for-20 with two homers and four RBI. The 23-year-old gives the Cardinals another option for the designated hitter spot when the team is at full health, and he may force his way into the lineup even Contreras is healthy if he continues to hit well.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that he's confident Contreras (hand) will be ready to return to the lineup Tuesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Marmol also revealed that Contreras wasn't actually scratched from Monday's lineup, but rather he was never meant to be included in the lineup that was ultimately released. However, while he will sit out a fourth straight game with a sore left hand, it sounds like he should be ready to go Tuesday. Ivan Herrera is getting another start at catcher Monday.

Realmuto is not in the lineup for Monday's game at St. Louis.

Realmuto went 0-for-3 with a walk Sunday to end a six-game hit streak during which he went 9-for-24 with two homers, and he'll hit the bench for Monday against the Cardinals. Garrett Stubbs will start at catcher and bat eighth in the series opener.

Contreras (hand) has been scratched from the Cardinals' lineup Monday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Conteras had appeared set to return from a three-game absence with left hand soreness, but evidently he's still not quite ready. Consider him day-to-day still for the time being. Ivan Herrera will sub in again at catcher.

Contreras (hand) will start at catcher and bat third in Monday's game against the Phillies, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Contreras missed the entirety of the Cardinals' three-game series against the Marlins with soreness in his left hand, but he's ready for the series opener versus the Phillies. The 31-year-old boasts a .979 OPS with two home runs in his first six contests this season.