Postcard from Cardinals spring training camp for Sunday, March 15, 2026
Result: Cardinals 6, Nationals 3
Weather: Partly cloudy, 83 degrees
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – Trying to find a way to get more offensive production from their outfielders was one of the Cardinals’ biggest spring training goals.
With a week left in camp, it’s still very much of a work in progress.
Jordan Walker spent his third consecutive day on Sunday working in the team’s hitting lab and manager Oli Marmol said the team is hoping the work Walker is putting in will translate into performance when he gets back into games, most likely on Tuesday.
“We wanted to just take three days of just head-down working on stuff and then see if we can carry it into a game,” Marmol said. “Not trying to practice something and put it into a game immediately but allow it time to really dive deep into where we’re at and what truly needs to happen. Give him that little bit of a break to just focus on that.”
Walker has gone 6-ot-30 so far this spring, after struggling last year. All six of his hits have been singles and he has nearly twice as many strikeouts, 11, as he has hits.
Marmol has been pleased with the work that Victor Scott II has put in this spring, even though he is only four of 25 after hitting a sacrifice fly, drawing a walk and stealing his fourth base of the spring on Sunday.
“I like where he’s headed with his approach, his skill set matching his approach,” Marmol said. “I’m optimistic about where that’s headed.”
Scott also is happy about how his spring has gone.
“I feel like I am piecing everything together well with my swing and how my body is moving and approach,” he said. “I feel ready for the season. I think things that are under the hood are right where I want them to be.”
Marmol expects the decision about who will play left field won’t be finalized until the end of camp. Nelson Velazquez started in left on Sunday and hit his fourth homer, which leads the team.
Here is how Sunday’s game broke down:
High: After hitting a three-run homer off former Cardinal Miles Mikolas in the first inning, Velazquez added an RBI single in the fifth to complete his four-RBI day.
Low: Minor-leaguer Hunter Hayes gave up a three-run homer, with two of the runs charged to starter Richard Fitts.
At the plate: There was an interesting twist to the Cardinals lineup. For the first time this spring, JJ Wetherholt hit in the leadoff spot and Masyn Winn batted second. Wetherholt was 0-of-3 and Winn had a single in his three at-bats. Marmol has not decided on who will be in the leadoff spot on opening day … Alec Burleson reached base in all three of his plate appearances with two singles and a walk.
On the mound: Fitts got the start in the game as Matthew Liberatore made his scheduled start in a minor-league game. Fitts only allowed one hit but walked three, striking out five, in 4 2/3 innings … Ryne Stanek, JoJo Romero, Riley O’Brien and Matt Pushard all worked scoreless innings in relief with O’Brien recording two strikeouts.
Worth noting: Ivan Herrera (knee inflammation) took at-bats in minor-league games on the back fields for the second day in a row. The Cardinals are planning on him being the DH in Tuesday’s game and catch on Wednesday …. Ramon Urias (elbow discomfort) also is expected to return in the middle of the week … The latest roster cuts sent seven players to the minor-league camp, reducing the camp roster to 36 players. Right-hander Ryan Fernandez was optioned to Memphis and re-assigned to the minor league camp were non-roster pitchers Packy Naughton, Luis Gastelum and Gerson Moreno, infielders Blaze Jordan and Jeremy Rivas and outfielder Matt Koperniak … Hunter Dobbins will open the season on the injured list as he completes his recovery from last summer’s torn ACL … Jose Fermin started at third base for the first time this spring. He has also played second base, shortstop, left field and center field.
Up next: The Cardinals will have the day off on Monday and then begin their final stretch of games before breaking camp. Dustin May will start on Tuesday, but it might be in a minor-league game.
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