The Cardinals and Burleson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.3 million contract Thursday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burleson receives a well-earned raise in what was his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 27-year-old has made a steady progression offensively for the Cardinals, finishing the 2025 campaign with a .290/.343/.459 batting line and 18 home runs. Burleson is slated to take over as the everyday first baseman in 2026 after spending most of his first four seasons playing the outfield.

Burleson will become the Cardinals' everyday first baseman in 2026 following the trade of Willson Contreras (shoulder) to the Red Sox, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burleson has primarily played the outfield in pro ball, but he has ample experience at first base, as well, having made 38 starts there during the 2025 season. The 27-year-old will have dual eligibility in fantasy leagues in 2026, but it's unclear whether he will see enough action in the outfield to retain eligibility there heading into 2027. The left-handed-hitting Burleson greatly improved versus left-handed pitching in 2025 -- slashing an adequate .271/.310/.398 -- and the Cardinals intend to give him everyday reps in 2026 rather than saddling him with a platoon partner.

Burleson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Burleson's streak of 17 consecutive starts comes to an end in Game 162, as he gets the day off in a meaningless contest for the Cardinals. Yohel Pozo will handle first base.

Burleson went 3-for-4 with a double, a hit-by-pitch and a run scored in Friday's 7-1 win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

This was Burleson's third straight multi-hit effort, and he's logged two homers, one triple and four doubles over 10 games since returning from a wrist injury. The 26-year-old is up to a career-high 25 doubles this season while adding 18 homers, 66 RBI, 53 runs scored, five stolen bases and a .289/.342/.466 slash line through 132 contests. Burleson continues to occupy a starting role at first base.

Burleson went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double and a walk in Wednesday's loss to the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Burleson was basically the Cardinals' entire offense in this one, tallying his team's only RBI and only two extra-base hits. He's shown no ill effects after returning from a wrist injury earlier this month, slashing .278/.350/.583 with a pair of long balls over nine contests. Burleson is slated to be St. Louis' primary first baseman down the stretch following Willson Contreras' (shoulder) season-ending injury.

The Cardinals activated Burleson (wrist) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Burleson spent the minimum 10 days on the shelf while recovering from wrist inflammation and didn't require a rehab assignment prior to being activated. He'll be included in the lineup for Monday's series opener in Seattle, starting at first base and batting third.

Burleson (wrist) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Monday's game against the Mariners, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burleson will make his return to the Cardinals' starting lineup without being sent on a rehab assignment. The 26-year-old outfielder had been on the shelf since Aug. 29 due to right wrist inflammation. He's slashing .286/.337/.451 in 470 plate appearances this season.

Burleson (wrist) is slated to return from the 10-day injured list at some point during the Cardinals' three-game road series against the Mariners starting Monday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burleson is rehabbing from right wrist inflammation that caused him to be placed on the 10-day IL in late August. He's increased his baseball activities over the past few days, and it appears the 26-year-old outfielder will not need a rehab assignment and join the Cardinals in Seattle early next week.

Burleson hopes to take batting practice in the coming days after an anti-inflammatory injection alleviated discomfort in his injured right wrist, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

If Burleson is able to take batting practice soon, he could avoid a rehab assignment and be activated from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Sept. 8. Burleson is second only to Ivan Herrera on the Cardinals with a wRC+ of 120 this season.

Burleson (wrist) was spotted playing catch on the field prior to Monday's game against the Athletics, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

St. Louis placed Burleson on the 10-day injured list Friday due to right wrist inflammation, but after getting an injection to relieve discomfort, he's already started throwing again. Burleson remains hopeful to be activated from the IL around when he's first eligible to return Sept. 8.