Cardinals Prospect Richard Fitts Suffers Lat Strain, Headed to IL

The right-handed pitcher was off to a strong start at Triple-A before the injury.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:54pm

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The St. Louis Cardinals' pitching prospect Richard Fitts has been placed on the injured list at the Triple-A level due to a right lat strain. Fitts, who was acquired by the Cardinals in a trade during the offseason, had been off to a promising start with 15.1 innings pitched, 11 strikeouts, and a 1.76 ERA in his first three starts at Triple-A. The lat injury is expected to sideline Fitts for an extended period, dealing a blow to the Cardinals' pitching depth as they look to rebuild their roster.

Why it matters

The Cardinals have been in rebuilding mode, making several major trades over the past year to acquire top prospects like Fitts. His injury is a setback for the team's efforts to restock their pitching pipeline and find future contributors to the big-league rotation.

The details

Fitts, a right-handed pitcher, was placed on the injured list at the Triple-A level on February 14th due to a right lat strain. In his three starts so far this season, he had allowed 13 hits and 3 runs over 15.1 innings, with 11 strikeouts. Lat strains can be tricky injuries for pitchers, often causing them to miss several weeks or even months of action.

  • Fitts was placed on the injured list at Triple-A on February 14, 2026.
  • Prior to the injury, Fitts had made 3 starts and pitched 15.1 innings at the Triple-A level this season.

The players

Richard Fitts

A right-handed pitching prospect acquired by the St. Louis Cardinals in a trade during the offseason, who was off to a strong start at the Triple-A level before suffering a lat strain injury.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Major League Baseball team that acquired Fitts in a trade and was counting on him to contribute to their pitching depth as part of their ongoing roster rebuild.

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What’s next

The Cardinals will monitor Fitts' recovery closely and hope he can return to action at Triple-A in the coming weeks or months. His progress will be an important factor as the team continues to evaluate its long-term pitching options.

The takeaway

Fitts' lat injury is a setback for the Cardinals as they work to restock their pitching pipeline through trades and prospect development. While the injury is concerning in the short term, the team still views Fitts as a pitcher with a high ceiling who can contribute to their future rotation once he regains his health.