Cardinals' Masyn Winn Still Banged Up After HBP vs. Red Sox

The young shortstop has dealt with several early-season injuries for St. Louis.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:20pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold colors shows a baseball player sliding into a base, the action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes that convey a sense of motion and intensity.A fractured, cubist depiction of a Cardinals player sliding into a base captures the dynamic energy and tension of the team's early season struggles.Boston Today

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn was hit by a pitch on his calf during Friday's game against the Boston Red Sox and has been held out of the lineup since then. The Cardinals are hoping Winn can avoid the injured list as they look to stay in the NL Central race.

Why it matters

Winn is a key part of the Cardinals' young core, and any extended absence would be a big blow to the team's playoff hopes. The Cardinals were not expected to contend this season, but their strong start has them in the mix in the NL Central.

The details

Winn left Friday's game after being hit by a pitch from Red Sox pitcher Connelly Early. He was replaced by Thomas Saggese, who has started the last two games at shortstop. Winn has dealt with several minor injuries early this season, including a hip issue and a car accident, and the calf tightness from the hit-by-pitch has kept him out of the lineup.

  • Winn was hit by the pitch from Early on Friday, April 11.
  • Winn missed Saturday's game against the Red Sox.
  • Winn is also not in the lineup for Sunday's series finale against Boston.

The players

Masyn Winn

The Cardinals' starting shortstop and a key part of their young core. Winn was off to a slow start but had a walk-off hit against the Mets on April 1 before dealing with various minor injuries.

Thomas Saggese

The Cardinals' backup shortstop who has started the last two games in place of the injured Winn.

Connelly Early

The Boston Red Sox pitcher who hit Winn with a pitch on Friday, causing the injury.

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What’s next

The Cardinals will hope Winn can return to the lineup for their upcoming series against the Cleveland Guardians. If the calf injury lingers, he could be headed to the injured list, which would be a significant blow to the team's early-season success.

The takeaway

Winn's health will be crucial for the Cardinals as they look to maintain their position in the NL Central race. The team was not expected to contend this season, but their strong start has them in the mix, and they can ill afford to lose their young star shortstop for an extended period.