Nolan Arenado Heads to Jupiter Florida Training Complex to Rehab
Nolan Arenado is officially on the rehab track. And he’s doing it at the Cardinals Spring Training Complex in Jupiter Florida.
The St. Louis Cardinals’ veteran third baseman will report to the club’s Spring Training complex in Jupiter, Florida this Friday to begin a structured recovery from a right shoulder strain that landed him on the injured list on August 1. Manager Oliver Marmol confirmed the plan prior to Wednesday’s 5-3 win over the Dodgers, noting that Arenado will begin strengthening drills and gradually work his way back into baseball activities.
“He’s supposed to travel down to our complex in Jupiter on Friday to start working through some stuff,” Marmol said. “It’s mainly about getting the shoulder back to full strength, and in the process, he’ll be working on everything.”
Next Stop: the Minor Leagues
Arenado’s return is a crucial subplot as the Cardinals try to remain competitive in the NL Wild Card race. But it’s clear the focus right now is on health, not haste. The 34-year-old’s recent numbers reflect the physical toll. He’s hit just .175 with no home runs and two RBIs in July and is currently mired in a 25-game homerless drought—just shy of the longest such stretch in his career. Across the 2025 season, his .235 average, .294 OBP, .366 slugging, and .660 OPS all rank as the lowest marks of his 13-year career. He’s tallied just 10 homers and 43 RBIs in 96 games.
In his absence, the Cardinals have turned to Nolan Gorman and rising prospect Thomas Saggese at third base. Gorman, fresh off an IL stint of his own, has responded with four RBIs and a home run since returning.
Cardinals top prospect JJ Wetherholt has been switched to third base at Triple A Memphis prompting rumors that he will get a chance to supplant Arenado at the hot corner.
Arenado, who is still owed $31 million combined for 2026 and 2027 (plus the remainder of his $21 million salary for 2025), could see game action with the Palm Beach Cardinals, St. Louis’ Single-A affiliate, once he’s cleared for full activity.
“We’ll see what his progression looks like,” Marmol said. “My thought would be, as we get closer [to Arenado returning to full strength], that he would want to [play in some Minor League games]. But right now, we just want to get him down there and figure out what the plan needs to be.”
