Packy Naughton’s Road Back: Could the Cardinals’ Forgotten Lefty Be a Bullpen Factor in 2026?
Comeback stories are woven into the fabric of baseball. And while Packy Naughton’s journey may not have the same headline-grabbing weight as Dave Dravecky’s or Albert Pujols’, his return to full health in 2026 is one that Cardinals fans-and the team’s bullpen-should be keeping an eye on.
Naughton hasn’t thrown a pitch in the majors since early 2023, derailed by a string of arm injuries that would test the resolve of any pitcher. But now, for the first time in years, he’s healthy.
Not rehabbing. Not ramping up.
Just ready for a full spring training program. And that’s a big deal for a lefty who once showed signs of being a reliable bullpen piece.
Back in 2022, Naughton posted a 4.78 ERA over 32 innings. On the surface, that’s nothing to write home about.
But dig a little deeper, and his 3.14 FIP tells a more encouraging story-he was missing bats, limiting walks, and doing the things you want to see from a middle-inning left-hander. The Cardinals saw potential there heading into 2023, expecting him to settle into a consistent role out of the 'pen.
Then came the injuries.
First, it was a torn flexor tendon in April 2023 that shut him down for the season. Just as he was nearing a return, disaster struck again-this time a repeat tear with ligament damage in July 2024 that required Tommy John surgery.
That cost him the rest of 2024 and all of 2025. Nearly three full seasons lost to arm trouble.
During that time, the Cardinals bullpen moved on. JoJo Romero stepped up as the primary left-handed option.
John King and Matthew Liberatore got their chances. And Naughton?
He faded from the conversation, even dabbling in real estate while sidelined.
But now, he’s back. And while a spot on the Opening Day roster might not be in the cards-especially with Romero and new addition Justin Bruihl ahead of him-Naughton is positioned to be one of the first arms called up if the bullpen needs reinforcements.
That’s not just speculation-it’s how teams build depth. A healthy Naughton gives the Cardinals a seasoned, left-handed option with big-league experience, something you can’t always find on the waiver wire in July.
There’s also the trade factor. Romero’s name has floated in rumors all offseason.
If the Cardinals move him before or during the season, that second lefty spot in the bullpen opens up. And if Naughton is performing in Triple-A, he could be the next man up.
At 29, Naughton isn’t a prospect anymore. But that doesn’t mean he can’t be a contributor.
Baseball is full of players who find their stride later in their careers, especially pitchers who’ve had to fight their way back from injury. If he stays healthy and throws like the guy the Cardinals believed in back in 2022, Naughton could be one of this season’s feel-good stories-and maybe even a sneaky key to a bullpen that’s going to need depth over the grind of 162 games.
It’s been a long road back. But Packy Naughton’s name is back in the mix. And for a Cardinals team with postseason aspirations, that’s a storyline worth watching.