NL Central Notebook: Cardinals’ Outfield Puzzle, Steele’s Comeback Timeline, and Brewers’ Infield Decisions
As spring training ramps up, the Cardinals continue to search for answers in the outfield - and they’re not just looking outside the organization. While adding a right-handed bat remains on the table, the club hasn’t shown much traction with free agent Randal Grichuk. And one potential target, Austin Hays, opted to sign with the White Sox, reportedly drawn by the promise of more consistent playing time in Chicago.
So the Cardinals are turning inward, experimenting with some intriguing internal options. Among them: Thomas Saggese and Jose Fermin, both of whom are being given a look in the outfield this spring.
Fermin is no stranger to the grass - he’s logged time in the outfield at both the big league and minor league levels, though the bulk of his experience still lies in the infield. Saggese, on the other hand, is venturing into uncharted territory.
He told reporters he hasn’t played outfield since he was 10 years old.
Still, the move makes sense. For Saggese, versatility could be his ticket to more playing time.
He’s shown flashes of promise, once earning top-100 prospect buzz, but his early MLB numbers - a .250/.292/.336 slash line over 347 plate appearances - suggest there’s still work to be done at the plate. The infield, meanwhile, is getting crowded.
Masyn Winn has shortstop locked down, Nolan Gorman is the favorite at third, and top prospect JJ Wetherholt is knocking on the door at second base. That leaves Saggese in a tough spot unless he can carve out a utility role.
It’s not hard to see what the Cardinals might be thinking here - developing Saggese into a right-handed version of Brendan Donovan, who was recently traded. Donovan’s ability to play all over the diamond made him invaluable, and St.
Louis could be trying to replicate that model with Saggese. If he can handle the outfield, even in a limited capacity, it adds another layer to his case for a roster spot.
Cubs’ Justin Steele Eyes Midseason Return
Over in Chicago, the Cubs are keeping a close eye on left-hander Justin Steele, who’s working his way back from elbow surgery. Steele is now throwing 30-pitch bullpen sessions and is targeting a return to the rotation sometime in May or June.
Steele underwent a UCL revision last April - not a full Tommy John, but a procedure that included an internal brace to reinforce the ligament. The difference in feel has been notable. Steele said that unlike his first Tommy John surgery in 2017, which left him feeling like he had to “re-learn how to use” his arm, this time around it feels like the same arm he’s always had.
That’s encouraging news for the Cubs. Steele was an All-Star before the injury, and while it remains to be seen how quickly he can regain his form, his return could be a major boost to a rotation that’s been in flux. If he can slot back in as a reliable mid-rotation arm - or better - it changes the outlook for a team looking to make noise in the NL Central.
Brewers Weigh Infield Options, Sign Rengifo
Meanwhile, the Brewers made a move to bolster their infield depth, signing Luis Rengifo to a one-year, $3.5 million deal. But before landing on Rengifo, they reportedly had their eyes on another versatile infielder: Ramón Urías.
Urías, who won a Gold Glove at third base in 2022, was non-tendered by the Astros in November. Milwaukee’s interest makes sense - Urías brings a strong defensive track record at both second and third, and his bat had been solid in a part-time role with the Orioles from 2020 to 2024 (108 wRC+ over 1465 plate appearances). He did take a step back in 2025, slashing .241/.292/.384 with an 87 wRC+ across stints with Baltimore and Houston.
Rengifo, by contrast, doesn’t offer the same defensive pedigree. So the decision to go with him over Urías raises some questions about the Brewers’ plans at third base. It’s possible they value Rengifo’s switch-hitting bat and offensive upside, or perhaps they see him as more versatile in the long run.
Either way, Milwaukee’s infield picture is still taking shape. With Rengifo now in the fold, it’ll be interesting to see how the Brewers deploy him - and whether Urías finds a new home elsewhere before Opening Day.
Bottom Line
The NL Central is already buzzing, and we haven’t even hit March. The Cardinals are reshuffling pieces to get more out of their young talent, the Cubs are counting down the days until a key arm returns, and the Brewers are quietly making moves that could shape their infield for the season ahead. Spring training hasn’t even started in full, but the chessboard is already in motion.