Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Re-signs on minor-league contract
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The Cardinals re-signed Naughton (elbow) to a two-year, minor-league contract Monday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Naughton announced the move himself on his Instagram account and also revealed that he will be sidelined until 2026 after having Tommy John and flexor surgeries on his left elbow in July. That's in addition to the flexor surgery he underwent in June of 2023. The left-handed reliever holds a 4.98 ERA and 48:22 K:BB over 59.2 innings covering parts of three seasons at the major-league level. He will turn 29 in April.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Active at Triple-A
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Naughton (elbow) was activated from Triple-A Memphis' 7-day injured list Tuesday.
Naughton made eight rehab appearances between the Cardinals' Florida Complex League affiliate and Single-A Palm Beach, pitching to a 1.86 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 15:1 K:BB. He was outrighted off the Cardinals' 40-man roster in November, so now that he's recovered from flexor tendon surgery, he'll have to wait for an opportunity to get back to the majors. Naughton pitched just five innings in the majors last season prior to the injury.
Naughton (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with the Cardinals' Florida Complex League affiliate on Tuesday.
Naughton underwent flexor tendon surgery last June and is finally ready to report to a minor-league affiliate. The left-hander is no longer on the Cardinals' 40-man roster but could work his way back into the bullpen mix if he regains his pre-surgery form.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Easing in during spring training
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Naughton (elbow) is behind schedule this spring as he completes his rehab from left flexor tendon surgery, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
The southpaw had the operation last June. Naughton was removed from the Cardinals' 40-man roster over the offseason but is in camp as a non-roster invitee. He'll likely begin the season at Triple-A Memphis but could eventually be a factor as a lefty option out of the St. Louis bullpen.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Undergoes surgery
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Naughton underwent surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his left elbow Monday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
The good news is that Naughton didn't require UCL repair surgery, but the 27-year-old southpaw is facing an extended absence nonetheless. Naughton most likely won't return until 2024, putting an end to his season after throwing just five scoreless innings in April.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Slated for surgery
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Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol confirmed Monday that Naughton (forearm) will undergo surgery June 26, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Marmol didn't specify whether Naughton would require Tommy John surgery or another kind of arm procedure, but the southpaw looks set to miss extended time in any case. Naughton has been on the shelf since April 8 with a strained left forearm and experienced a setback just three pitches into his first rehab appearance at Triple-A Memphis earlier this month.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Could need surgery
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Naughton visited a doctor in Texas earlier this week to receive a second opinion on his left forearm injury, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Naughton had a setback during his rehab appearance with Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, and at this stage, all treatment options appear to be on the table for the southpaw. That includes a procedure of some sort, though Denton notes that Naughton "might be able to avoid Tommy John surgery." Whatever the case, Naughton doesn't look as though he'll be returning from the Cardinals' 60-day injured list anytime soon.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Suffers setback
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Naughton will be evaluated after he "felt a tug" in his left forearm during his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol told Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat on Monday.
Naughton lasted just three pitches before suffering the setback. He's missed nearly all of the season with the arm issue and clearly isn't going to be rejoining the St. Louis bullpen anytime soon.
Naughton (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Naughton has been out since early April with a strained left forearm. The length of his absence may mean that he needs more than just one or two rehab outings before he's ready to return from the injured list.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Plays catch Thursday
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Naughton (forearm) played catch Thursday from around 90 feet, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Naughton's throwing program is underway about four weeks after he landed on the injured list because of a left forearm strain. He could return to the Cardinals' bullpen in late May if all goes well from this point forward.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: MRI reveals no structural damage
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Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said Sunday that Naughton underwent an MRI that revealed no structural damage to his strained left forearm, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Naughton was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, but he appears to have avoided a potentially long-term injury. Marmol mentioned that the left-hander's recovery process will be mapped out over the next couple of days. It's possible Naughton is able to return to a relief role with St. Louis before the end of April.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Lands on injured list
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Naughton was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left forearm strain, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Naughton exited Friday's loss to the Brewers due to the injury and will be sidelined for at least the next two weeks. Genesis Cabrera was recalled from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Mixed results in spring
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Naughton has allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings through five Grapefruit League appearances.
Naughton was on and off the Cardinals' major-league roster for much of 2022, posting a 4.78 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB across 32 innings. He started three of his six appearances, but his path to staying in the majors this season is in the bullpen since the Cardinals have a surplus of potential starters. Naughton remains unlikely to challenge for a high-leverage role, so he won't be a factor in most fantasy formats.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Makes wild-card roster
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Naughton will be on the Cardinals' wild-card roster, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Naughton was sent to the minors Sept. 21, but he'll rejoin the Cardinals ahead of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies, which begins Friday. The southpaw held left-handed hitters to a .163 batting average in the majors this year, which factored into the decision to include Naughton on the roster over Genesis Cabrera.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Sent to Triple-A
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Naughton was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.
Naughton has been up with the big-league club since late June, but he'll head back to the minors after recording only one out in each of his past two outings. The 26-year-old has a 5.14 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 28:6 K:BB over 28 innings this season.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Heads to minors
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The Cardinals optioned Naughton to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.
Naughton was sent packing to clear a spot on the active roster for Jack Flaherty (shoulder), who was activated from the 60-day injured list ahead of his season debut Wednesday against the Pirates. After getting called up from Triple-A on May 30, Naughton made three appearances -- two as an opener and one out of the bullpen -- and gave up five earned runs over four innings.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Roughed up by Rays
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Naughton (0-2) allowed four earned runs on five hits with no walks or strikeouts across 1.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Rays.
Naughton wasn't stretched out to be a starter, so he wasn't likely to pitch deep into the game even if he was effective. However, that wasn't the case, as he allowed three doubles in the first frame to account for three earned runs. Naughton is likely to get one more turn through the rotation thanks to a doubleheader, though Steven Matz's (shoulder) impending return could cause Naughton's role to shift in the near future. He has primarily served a multi-inning relief role with St. Louis this season and now has a 5.54 ERA with a 12:1 K:BB across 13 innings.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Starting Wednesday
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Naughton will start Wednesday's game against the Rays, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
The 26-year-old hasn't pitched since covering 2.1 innings as an opener May 30, but he'll make another start Wednesday in Tampa Bay. Naughton has yet to pitch four frames in any appearance between the majors or minors this season, so he's unlikely to pitch deep enough Wednesday to have a chance at a victory.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Yields one run as opener
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Naughton allowed one run on two hits as the opener in Monday's win over the Padres. He struck out four across 2.1 frames.
The 26-year-old southpaw worked through two scoreless frames before he was charged with a run on Jurickson Profar's RBI single off of Andre Pallante in the third. Naughton is sporting a 3.09 ERA with a 12:1 K:BB through 11.2 frames with St. Louis this season. If he gets another turn in the rotation, it would likely be this weekend in a road matchup with the Cubs.
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Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Called up as 27th man
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The Cardinals recalled Naughton from Triple-A Memphis and designated him as the 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader with the Mets, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Naughton won't be in line to start either end of the twin bill, but he'll at least provide a multi-inning option out of the bullpen behind Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz, who take the hill for Games 1 and 2, respectively. The 26-year-old southpaw has made five appearances (one start) for St. Louis in 2022, working 7.2 innings while giving up three earned runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out seven.
