Overview
- Naughton, pitching for Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, exited after his third pitch clutching his left elbow during an at-bat against Korey Lee and walked off with a trainer.
- The Cardinals placed the 29-year-old left-hander on the seven-day injured list and scheduled an MRI to determine the extent of the damage, according to team leadership.
- He had built momentum with a standout spring training, posting a 1.29 ERA across seven appearances that put a 2026 major league return within reach.
- His elbow has a long injury history that includes a flexor tendon tear in 2023, a re-tear plus a torn UCL in 2024, and Tommy John surgery that cost him the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
- St. Louis re-signed him to a two-year deal expecting a full 2025 rehab and possible 2026 help, and he owns a 4.98 ERA over 37 MLB games with the Angels and Cardinals.