The St. Louis Cardinals have spent much of the 2026 season identifying young players who could form the foundation of their next competitive team. As the organization continues through its rebuilding phase, more opportunities have been given to emerging players looking to prove they can become long-term contributors.
Several of those younger players have exceeded expectations, especially after the trade deadline, when the Cardinals moved on from a number of veteran players.
“The surprising thing has been how well the pieces remaining on the roster have performed,” Will Leitch wrote for MLB.com. “These are mostly young players who are using 2026 as a way to prove their long-term fit with the team, like Alec Burleson, Iván Herrera, Riley O’Brien, Michael McGreevy and NL Rookie of the Year front-runner JJ Wetherholt.”
But the emergence of some younger contributors and the constant search for long-term roster answers has also meant difficult decisions for players who failed to secure permanent roles. Ultimately, that meant a cut for outfield slugger Nelson Velazquez, who is now facing another change after a brief stint with his new team has come to an end as well.
Former St Louis Cardinals Outfielder Sees Short Stint With New Team Come To Abrupt End
Nelson Velázquez had an opportunity earlier this season to establish himself as a regular part of the rebuilding St. Louis Cardinals, but the team designated him for assignment earlier this month. After joining the Houston Astros, Velázquez has now elected free agency after being designated for assignment once again, according to his official transaction history.
His latest stint with Houston lasted only three games, during which he went 0-for-4 at the plate.
Velázquez originally signed a minor league deal with St. Louis before earning a call-up to the majors in late May. He remained with the Cardinals for more than two months before the club designated him for assignment following its acquisition of outfielder Everson Pereira.
The Astros subsequently claimed Velázquez off waivers, hoping his right-handed power would make him a valuable platoon option. However, that opportunity ended almost as quickly as it began.
Now a free agent, Velázquez will be searching for another chance to return to the major leagues and prove he can contribute at the highest level.
“It’s possible he garners interest as a platoon bat, as that was seemingly why the Astros grabbed him,” Darragh McDonald wrote for MLB Trade Rumors. “In 88 plate appearances this year, mostly with the Cardinals, he has a subpar .205/.273/.410 line on the whole. However, the righty-swinging Velázquez has four homers on the year, all against lefties.”
St Louis Cardinals Castoff Still Offers Upside After Latest Cut
The 27-year-old’s split gives him a potentially valuable role for a team looking for right-handed power without committing to him as an everyday player.
For the Cardinals, his departure is another example of the roster churn that comes with a rebuilding organization attempting to determine which players belong in its next competitive window. For Velazquez, it was a better showcase than his very brief stay with the Astros as he looks for a new home in free agency.
