With spring training just around the corner, excitement is building in Major League Baseball as teams finalize their rosters and fans start dreaming about Opening Day. Every move counts in February, and the St. Louis Cardinals are making sure they head into the 2026 season with flexibility and depth in key positions. On Friday, the organization took a step to strengthen its infield by claiming third baseman Bryan Ramos off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. This move officially fills out the Cardinals’ 40-man roster and gives the team another option at the hot corner.
“We have claimed 3B from the Baltimore Orioles. Our 40-man roster is now full,” the Cardinals confirmed. Top star, just 23 years old, brings a fresh arm and bat to the mix. He spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the Chicago White Sox before being acquired by Baltimore in the offseason for cash considerations. The Orioles then placed him on waivers, opening the door for St. Louis to add him to their ranks.
Ramos’ major league experience is limited—he appeared in only four games last season—but he has shown flashes of potential in his early career. His career numbers include a .198 batting average, a .244 on-base percentage, 22 hits, three home runs, and 13 RBIs. While his immediate role with the Cardinals is expected to be as a backup during spring training, he will have a chance to prove himself and potentially earn a spot on the major league roster to start the 2026 season.
The battle for playing time at third base could get interesting. Nolan Gorman is projected as the starting third baseman, while Thomas Saggese is expected to be the primary backup if the Cardinals decide to carry two players at the position. Ramos’ performance in spring training will determine whether he can crack the roster or if he’ll serve as a depth option ready to contribute when needed.
St. Louis opens spring training against the Washington Nationals on February 21 at 1:05 p.m., giving fans the first glimpse of how Ramos and the rest of the infield will shake out in the coming season. With new faces joining the team and roster battles looming, the Cardinals are shaping up for an intriguing spring as they prepare for a push in the National League.