Herrera is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Herrera started the first two games of the season and went 4-for-7 with a walk, two doubles, two RBI and a run, and he'll receive a well-deserved rest Sunday. Pedro Pages is stepping in behind the plate to catch for righty Andre Pallante.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that he's planning to start Herrera at catcher and bat him sixth Opening Day versus the Twins, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

The lineup the Cardinals are using in Monday's exhibition tilt against Triple-A Memphis -- one that features Herrera behind the plate -- is the same one Marmol is eyeing for the opener. Herrera has been in a competition with Pedro Pages for the St. Louis catcher job, and it appears Herrera will get the first crack at it. What the ultimate breakdown in playing time between the two catchers will be over the duration of the season isn't clear.

Herrera is 6-for-12 with one home run and a 0:3 K:BB over his last five Grapefruit League contests.

EDGE Analysis

The nice stretch at the plate came after he went hitless in his first six games of the spring. There isn't much question about Herrera's offense. Where he needs to improve is on the defensive side, and more specifically, with his throwing arm. Herrera trained this offseason at Driveline's facility in Tampa, where he was put on a program to build arm strength and alter his throwing motion, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The 24-year-old Herrera is competing with Pedro Pages for reps at catcher for the Cardinals, and the consensus is that Herrera will, at minimum, split the duties, and perhaps receive the lion's share of work.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Wednesday that Herrera and Pedro Pages will share playing time at catcher next season, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Willson Contreras is moving into a first base/designated hitter role, clearing the way for Herrera and Pages to handle catching duties. Herrera is much more intriguing of the two from an offensive standpoint, having slashed .301/.377/.417 in 85 games over the last season seasons with the Cardinals. However, his defense -- and particularly his throwing -- have drawn scrutiny, to the point that Pages leapt him on the depth chart down the stretch. How the playing time will ultimately break down between the two in 2025 is not yet clear.

Herrera went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Thursday's 10-8 loss to the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

This was Herrera's second homer in his last four games, though he hasn't seen steady playing time in that span. He got a start at designated hitter Thursday with Pedro Pages behind the dish. Herrera has hit well but not for much power this year with a .298/.368/.427 slash line, five home runs, 27 RBI, 37 runs scored, 12 doubles and five stolen bases over 71 contests.

Herrera went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run, an additional run, a double and a walk in Saturday's 6-5 win against Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

Herrera clubbed a three-run shot in the seventh inning to increase the Cardinals' lead to 6-1. The catcher has gone 9-for-20 over his past seven games to push his season batting average to an impressive .293. Herrera remains behind Pedro Pages in the backstop pecking order, however, as Pages has started five of the Cardinals' past eight games behind the plate.

Herrera went 3-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored in Wednesday's 10-5 win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Herrera is batting .320 (8-for-25) over eight games in September, though he's been in the backup role for much of the last week. Pedro Pages continues to see a slight edge for playing time behind the dish. Herrera has done enough to avoid being completely ignored with a .288/.354/.387 slash line, three home runs, five stolen bases, 23 RBI and 32 runs scored over 66 contests this season.

Herrera is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Herrera had a slight edge over Pedro Pages in playing time in the first week after Willson Contreras (finger) got hurt and landed on the injured list. However, the playing time has recently been tilting in favor of Pages, who has now started six of the last eight contests. With Thursday's series finale being an afternoon game, Herrera will likely be back in the lineup that day.

Herrera went 2-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and two runs scored in Sunday's 10-4 loss to the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Herrera was the only Cardinal with multiple hits in the contest. The catcher has gone 3-for-12 with one RBI and four runs scored over four games in September. Herrera has operated as the No. 2 catcher behind Pedro Pages since Willson Contreras (finger) landed on the injured list. Herrera has a .281/.350/.382 slash line, three home runs, five steals, 22 RBI and 30 runs scored across 223 plate appearances this season.

Herrera isn't in the Cardinals' lineup for Saturday's game against the Mariners, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Herrera has gone 5-for-15 with three RBI across his last five games, but he'll sit down for a second consecutive contest Saturday while Pedro Pages catches for Kyle Gibson and bats seventh.