Cardinals' Oli Marmol provides bleak Nolan Arenado injury update

Cardinals' Oli Marmol provides bleak Nolan Arenado injury update originally appeared on The Sporting News

The St. Louis Cardinals have a major question mark to deal with for the team's future. That big question belongs to future Hall of Fame third baseman Nolan Arenado. Despite his career success, he's struggled in 2025, and with his shoulder injury, he's missing time.

But, after a report from John Denton of MLB.com came out on Arenado's ongoing injury recovery, Cardinals manager Oli Marmol provided a bleak update on Arenado's timeline to return to the big league roster.

"He (Arenado) is not expected to be ready by STL's series in Miami on August 18th-20th, Oli Marmol said," reported Denton.

Nolan Arenado reported to the #STLCards Spring HQ in Jupiter, Fla., on Friday to begin what is expected to be nine to 10 days of shoulder strengthening before resuming baseball activities.

He is not expected to be ready by STL’s series in Miami Aug. 18-20, Oli Marmol said.

— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) August 9, 2025

It's a tough update for the Cardinals $275 million infielder. He's been a big part of the club over the last few seasons, but with his shoulder injury and poor play this season, the end of his Cardinals tenure is in sight.

While he isn't going anywhere just yet, if this injury persists, and he can't return to the roster this season, the new president of baseball operations could decide to move on from the 34-year-old 10-time Gold Glover. 

His career low is .660 OPS, well below his career average of an .847 OPS. St. Louis could look to move on from him, as his contract expires after the 2027 season.

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He might not fetch a strong return, as his cost, age, injury concerns, and poor play lately will make it tough for the Cardinals to find a trade partner willing to give up enough for St. Louis to make a deal.

But, in the meantime, his injury recovery is paramount to the team's success in the future. This update from Marmol isn't a great sign that he's going to be ready any time soon.

Initially, Arenado was predicted to be able to return on the 18th of August. But this update firmly shuts down such a possibility, as the veteran isn't expected back by that date despite the initial belief he could be.

This updated report from Denton on where Marmol sees Arenado in his recovery is a bleak outlook for the eight-time All-Star. His time in St. Louis isn't up yet, but at the moment following this report, the end seems a lot closer than it was at the start of the year.

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