Just when it looked like Nolan Gorman was finally stringing together some momentum, his back flared up again. Now the Cardinals are down another bat thanks to the Gorman setback.
The team announced over the weekend that Gorman has been placed on the injured list with recurring back pain. He was scratched just before Friday night’s series opener against the Diamondbacks, and after further evaluation, the club made the call to shut him down — at least for now.
Nolan Gorman Setback at the Worst Time
This setback is a tough blow at a critical time. St. Louis is sitting at 51–47, hovering just outside the playoff picture and eyeing a defining few weeks heading into the trade deadline. Every game counts. And losing a power-hitting lefty in the middle of the order? That stings.
This season, Gorman had been more productive than he was in 2024, though he hadn’t fully recaptured his 2023 breakout form. In 66 games, he was hitting .219 with a .718 OPS, 9 home runs, and 29 RBIs — decent numbers, especially considering he was used almost exclusively at designated hitter to keep his bat in the lineup and reduce physical strain.
But this latest IL stint brings back a familiar and frustrating storyline.
Thomas Seggese has been recalled from Memphis to fill the roster spot.
Gorman’ Recurring Back Issues
Gorman’s back issues go back several seasons and have become a recurring theme in what was once a rapidly rising career. He showed real pop in 2023 — 27 homers, 76 RBIs, and a .236 average with an .805 OPS. But he only played in 119 games that year due to chronic back problems. Last season, he never found a groove, struggled through inconsistency, and was eventually optioned to Triple-A by the end of the year.
This year had felt different — if not explosive, at least steady. But now, with the Cardinals grinding for a postseason spot and trade deadline decisions looming, Gorman’s absence creates both a lineup hole and a depth dilemma.
Nolan Gorman is still just 25. Still a former first-round pick. Still capable of mashing when he’s healthy. But that’s the big question — when he’s healthy. And with time running out, the Cardinals need clarity fast.
