Arenado went 1-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Monday's 10-5 victory versus the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals were shut out over six innings before Arenado ignited an eight-run seventh with an inning-opening solo shot to left field. The long ball was just his third of the season and marked only his second extra-base hit over his past seven games. Aside from the lack of power, Arenado hasn't been far off his usual level of production, slashing .268/.327/.386 with 21 RBI and 15 runs through 40 games.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Arenado will be out of the lineup for Sunday's game in Milwaukee, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arenado isn't dealing with an injury, as Marmol characterized the third baseman's absence from the lineup as an off day. The 33-year-old had started each of the Cardinals' first 39 games of the season and is maintaining a .703 OPS, the lowest mark of his career. He didn't appear to be turning a corner at the plate over the first three games of the series in Milwaukee, as he went just 1-for-12 with three strikeouts.

Arenado went 3-for-3 with two walks and a three-run home run in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran third baseman took Erick Fedde deep in the fifth inning to give the Cardinals a 5-3 lead, but it didn't hold up. Arenado has recorded multiple hits in three of the last five games, and the surge has boosted his slash line on the season to .296/.362/.408 with two homers, 14 runs and 19 RBI through 33 contests.

Arenado went 2-for-4 with two doubles and there RBI in Friday's win over the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Arenado gave St. Louis an early lead with a two-run double in the first inning before adding another RBI double in the fifth. Over his previous 13 games, he posted a disappointing .614 OPS with just one multi-hit performance. Friday's game was the first time he drove in multiple runs since April 20. Arenado is slashing .279/.338/.369 with nine extra-base hits and 16 RBI through 32 games.

Arenado went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer in Friday's win over Arizona.

EDGE Analysis

Arenado started the Cardinals' big day with a three-run jack in the first inning. He snapped an uncharacteristic 39-game homeless drought dating back to last season. The veteran third baseman boosted his season slash line to .276/.295/.379 with four extra-base hits and eight RBI through 61 plate appearances.

Arenado went 3-for-5 with an RBI double and a run scored in Thursday's 8-5 win over the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Arenado has quietly put together a six-game hitting streak after opening the year 0-for-7 in the first two contests. The third baseman wasn't as quiet in the Cardinals' home opener, knocking his second double through eight games. He's still searching for a home run, but he's hitting .265 with four RBI and three runs scored while occupying a spot in the heart of the order and a starting role at third base, as usual.

Arenado (back) is scheduled to take live batting practice Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arenado's involvement in the Cardinals' first full-squad workout of spring training implies that he reported to camp with no restrictions after he closed the 2023 season on the 10-day injured list due to lower-back spasms. In an effort to improve his flexibility and avoid further back problems during the upcoming campaign, Arenado took up pilates and shed a few pounds in the offseason. The 32-year-old still boasts an elite glove at third base, but he showed his some slight signs of decline in 2023, with his .774 OPS representing a 117-point decline from 2022. Arenado's batted-ball data also mirrored the dropoff in most of the counting categories, with his barrel rate, hard-hit percentage and average exit velocity all ranking in the bottom 40 percent of hitters in the league.

Arenado (back) is down 4-to-5 pounds entering 2024, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arenado has also taken up Pilates to be more flexible. The 32-year-old third baseman is still expected to be the Cardinals' starter at the hot corner in 2024, so getting a little more fitness can only help to keep him on the field. He had a challenging 2023 as did many Cardinals, slashing .266/.315/.459 with 26 home runs, 93 RBI, 71 runs scored, 26 doubles and three stolen bases over 144 contests. It was the first time he finished with an OPS under .800 in a full season since his rookie year.

The Cardinals placed Arenado on the 10-day injured list Friday with lower-back spasms.

EDGE Analysis

This will wind up being a season-ending issue for the 32-year-old third baseman, who finishes with a .266/.315/.459 slash line, 26 home runs, 26 doubles and 93 RBI in 144 games. Jose Fermin, Juniel Querecuto and Irving Lopez are available to fill in at the hot corner over the Cardinals' final nine games.

Arenado is not in the lineup Wednesday versus the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Juniel Querecuto will start at third base and bat eighth for the Cardinals after they were officially eliminated from postseason contention following Tuesday's loss to Milwaukee. Arenado is slashing just .181/.233/.205 over his last 90 plate appearances dating back to Aug. 25.