Herrera (elbow) will return to catcher next season but is not expected to do so in a full-time capacity, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Herrera was the Cardinals' everyday designated hitter during the second half, but the plan is for him to return to catcher next season. However, while catcher is slated to be his primary position, it sounds like Herrera will still see lots of playing time in the DH slot. Jimmy Crooks is the favorite to pick up starts at catcher on days Herrera serves as the DH. Herrera underwent surgery last month to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, but he is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.

Herrera underwent surgery Wednesday to have bone spurs removed from his right elbow, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

It had been reported in September that Herrera would have offseason elbow surgery after his arm had bothered him for a couple years. The procedure is considered minor and is not expected to affect his offseason workouts or readiness for spring training. Herrera slashed .284/.373/.464with 19 home runs over 107 games for the Cardinals this season. He was a full-time designated hitter during the second half, but Herrera will prepare exclusively as a catcher this offseason.

Herrera went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, a walk and a second run scored in Tuesday's 9-8 win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Herrera sparked the Cardinals' comeback effort with his blast in the seventh inning. He's homered in three straight games and has his safely in 11 of his last 12 contests, going 14-for-45 (.311) with five long balls in that productive stretch. For the season, the 25-year-old is on the brink of a 20-homer campaign -- he's hit 19 of them while adding 65 RBI, 53 runs scored, eight stolen bases and a .283/.375/.471 slash line through 103 games this year.

Herrera went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and two walks in Monday's victory over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Herrera tied the game in the fifth inning with a two-run homer off Justin Verlander, sparking a Cardinals win. The 25-year-old has been one of the brightest spots in St. Louis this year, slashing .281/.372/.462 with 13 doubles, 18 homers and 62 RBI in 102 games. While he showed promise with an .800 OPS in 72 games last season, Herrera's ability to maintain strong rate stats while boosting his overall production in 2025 makes this breakout especially encouraging.

Herrera went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run, two runs scored and a walk in Sunday's 5-1 win over Milwaukee. He was also hit by a pitch.

EDGE Analysis

On Saturday, Herrera told Jim Hayes of FanDuel Sports Network Midwest that he would undergo a minor procedure in the offseason to address an elbow issue that has hindered him in making throws behind the plate, which has been a factor in the Cardinals electing not to use him at catcher since he returned from a stint on the injured list July 13. He made four starts in left field from July 28 through Aug. 13 but has otherwise been used exclusively at designated hitter. He should continue to finish out the season as the Cardinals' primary DH, and Herrera was able to snap out of a minor power drought by connecting on his 17th long ball of the season in the third inning. He had failed to record an extra-base hit in any of his previous six starts entering Sunday.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Saturday that Herrera will prepare exclusively as a catcher this offseason, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Herrera last saw action at catcher June 19, as he's been used as a full-time designated hitter since rejoining the Cardinals on July 13 following a stint on the injured list due to a hamstring strain. The move to the DH-only role was made in order to help keep Herrera healthy, but it was also due to his defensive shortcomings. Per Jim Hayes of FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, Herrera will undergo elbow surgery this offseason to correct an issue that's prevented him from getting his arm in the proper position to make throws to second base. In addition to recovering from surgery, Herrera will focus on improving his game calling. Marmol noted that Herrera's chances of sticking at catcher will "play out" during spring training, but the team is heading into the offseason expecting him to factor into the picture behind the plate. Herrera will likely finish 2025 with 14 games played (13 starts) at catcher, so he won't have eligibility at the position in most fantasy leagues entering next season. However, he should have a good chance to regain that eligibility early on in 2026.

Herrera went 3-for-5 with a solo homer, a double and an additional run scored during the Cardinals' 9-8 extra-inning loss to the Brewers on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Herrera got things started early with a solo homer off Jacob Misiorowski in the first inning. It was Herrera's 16th home run of the season, five of which have come in 11 games since Sept. 1. Over that span, he has gone 11-for-39 (.282) with one steal, nine runs and seven RBI.

Herrera went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

That's now two homers in as many days to open the month of September for Herrera, who has three long balls in his past five outings. The 25-year-old backstop also has an active eight-game hitting streak, during which he's batting .375 with six RBI and five runs scored. Herrera's OPS sits at a career-best .818 for the campaign as well.

Herrera is absent from the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Herrera had started every game since the last contest of the first half, but he will receive a well-earned break as the Cardinals open up a series versus the Pirates. The 25-year-old's absence from the lineup comes after he posted a meager .437 OPS across his last 17 contests. Willson Contreras will serve as the team's designated hitter Monday.

Herrera went 2-for-5 with three RBI and a steal in Tuesday's win over the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Herrera drove in the first three runs of the game for the Cardinals with a single to right in the first and another one in the second. It was his first multi-RBI game since July 24, and he's now hit safely in seven of his last eight games. Herrera's second-inning steal was his sixth theft of the season, passing his previous best of five from 2024. The 25-year-old is slashing .289/.366/.440 with 10 homers, 46 RBI, 31 runs and a 28:64 BB:K in 303 plate appearances.