The Cardinals have released infielder Ramon Urias, according to his MLB.com transaction tracker. The move comes a couple of days after Urias was designated for assignment to clear a spot for JJ Wetherholt. The seven-year vet will get an early start on looking for a 2027 big-league opportunity.

St. Louis added Urias on a one-year, $2MM deal over the winter. He was expected to fill a versatile role as a glove-first option in the infield. It didn’t go as planned. Urias was limited to 43 games due to persistent elbow issues. He initially hit the injured list in May with lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) in his right arm. Urias was then pulled off his rehab assignment when the same problem popped up in his left arm.

Urias hit .151 with four home runs in 100 plate appearances this year. He had just four hits in 15 games since coming off the IL. Urias mostly played third base with the Cardinals, but he saw time at all four infield spots. He recorded 3 Defensive Runs Saved in 185 1/3 innings at the hot corner.

It’s the glove that could get Urias another job this offseason. He’s stretched a bit thin at shortstop, but he’s notched several strong defensive seasons at second and third base. Urias won a Gold Glove award at third with the Orioles in 2022. He’s racked up 21 DRS at the position in his career.

Wetherholt emerged as a strong everyday option at second base this season. With first baseman Alec Burleson remaining on the club at the trade deadline and Masyn Winn locked in at shortstop, the only lingering question for the Cardinals’ infield is third base. The team has shuffled through seven options at the position this season. St. Louis ranks 27th in OPS at third base. Blaze Jordan, Nolan Gorman, and Thomas Saggese are the primary internal options to fill the spot in 2027.

Photo courtesy of Eric Hartline, Imagn Images