CINCINNATI — It took an early August conversation with a teammate who had been a former opponent for Pedro Pages to ditch all the changes he tried with his swing this season and go back to the knee lift that unlocked production a few years ago.
Thomas Saggese, who played against Pages in Class AA before playing with him after a trade, brought up the knee lift to Pages while the two chatted at Dodger Stadium in early August and lobbied for the catcher to try it again.
“Bro, just do it,” Pages remembered Saggese saying.
There was just one problem.
“Well, we’re about to face Shohei Ohtani,” Pages said. “I don’t know if I can do it.”
Saggese’s response was two words: “Send it.”
Whether the phrasing comes from a third base coach urging a runner to go home or a text message asking someone on a date, Saggese’s message was as clear as the swoosh on their jerseys: just do it.
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“That’s how it started,” Pages said. “I went that day and did it. Ended up getting two hits, and I’ve just gone from there.”
In the 15 games since he brought the left-knee tuck back to his stance and sent it, Pages jas hit .373 with a 1.115 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS). He homered in consecutive games against the Cincinnati Reds this weekend to punctuate a robust August before he received a day off Sunday.
In the past month, Pages’ .351 average ranked fourth in the majors for hitters with at least 60 plate appearances, and his .684 slugging percentage ranked behind only Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton. Pages hit five homers in August.
If it’s the start of a strong finish, Pages will begin shaping one of the most compelling considerations for the Cardinals and new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom.
The Cardinals currently have four players in the majors or on the injured list who could be part of the catching tandem next season. Rookie Jimmy Crooks made his first big league start Sunday and homered. Yohel Pozo has done well in a backup role, and designated hitter Ivan Herrera wants to return to the position he’s not been able to play much this season because of injury concerns.
“I think that’s going to be a really good topic to discuss this offseason,” manager Oli Marmol said. “Because we’ve seen Herrera. We’ve seen Pages. We’ve seen Pozo. We’re going to get a look at Crooks. And we know (Leonardo) Bernal is down below, and people speak highly of him. There is a really good conversation to be had.”
Marmol was asked if the performance of other catchers could spur the team to commit to a new position for Herrera, who has taken some reps in the outfield.
“I think everything is on the table,” Marmol said.
Pages earned a split-shift role with Herrera coming out of spring training because of the rapport he has with the pitching staff, his defensive work and a feel for calling games. An early burst of offense gave way to a summer chill and a search for adjustments he could make to his stance, setup and swing. When he spoke to Saggese on Aug. 5 at Dodger Stadium, he was batting .200 with a .564 OPS.
He described seeking answers as falling into “a rabbit hole.”
“I stood tall. I stood wide. I did cross-body. I closed off. I did a bunch of things this year that obviously it worked for a little bit, didn’t work, and it was so inconsistent,” Pages said. “I didn’t like. I went back to where I’m comfortable and riding that wave right now. When you see results, it’s easy to believe in. It’s also just comfortable because I’m feeling better about my at-bats. I’m able to see pitches, lay off more pitches, chase less pitches and have better at-bats because I’m in a better position.”
Pages started lifting his front leg and bending the knee several years ago as a way to rock his hands into a better position. He was bunched up with his hands too close to his batting helmet, so as he put it: “A little movement with my knee and when my knee went back and in, my hands followed and went out.”
He had six multi-hit games in the month since lifting the knee.
He had six multi-hit games in the four months before the change.
“As he makes adjustments, he gets to write his own story as far as what (his offensive upside) looks like,” Marmol said. “We’re evaluating it. We’ve seen it at some high points, some low points, but we’ve also seen him make some really good adjustments. He gets to tell us what that profile looks like.”
O’Brien set for exam, IL possible
Riley O’Brien did not recover as quickly as hoped from his scoreless inning Thursday against the Pirates, and the Cardinals elected to give him the entire Reds series off. He continued to experience fatigue near his right shoulder Sunday and will undergo an exam Monday in St. Louis.
The injured list has been discussed, and that will allow the Cardinals to promote two pitchers for the pitching staff Monday if O’Brien may miss another week or so.
Right-hander Chris Roycroft is set to join the Cardinals.
Other pitchers being considered for promotion as rosters expand or the month progresses are right-handers Roddery Munoz, Curtis Taylor or lefty Anthony Veneziano.
Arenado and expanded roster
Nolan Arenado will return Wednesday to St. Louis to meet with the team’s medical officials for an evaluation of his recovery from a strained shoulder. Arenado has been going through a throwing and strengthening program at the team’s complex in Jupiter, Florida, where he’s also been able to take ground balls and batting practice.
He’s steadily increased the intensity of his baseball activities, and this week’s check-in will give the Cardinals a sense of when he’ll start a rehab assignment and return to the lineup.
Victor Scott II’s weekend with Class AA Springfield (Missouri) continued Sunday, and how he feels after the game will determine if the Cardinals add him as the 14th position player Monday when rosters expand to 28 players. The Cardinals will add a position player and a pitcher. Marmol said the team would use Sunday’s game to dictate the pitcher move based on need, whether that’s long relief or a specific matchup as the A’s visit Busch Stadium.
Contreras, etc.
The Cardinals and Willson Contreras continue to wait on resolution from his appeal of a six-game suspension after events a week ago at Busch Stadium. Contreras was furious with a home plate umpire and tossed his bat in anger, hitting one of his coaches. It’s not unusual that an appeal does not get finalized immediately.
Yohel Pozo did not have any lingering issues following the foul ball that struck him in the mask, but he remains in concussion protocol to start the week. The Cardinals expect him to return when eligible — which is this weekend.
Waino, Ankiel win homer derby
The Cardinals team led by “pitcher who rake” Adam Wainwright advanced in the Home Run Derby X tournament with wins Saturday night against teams representing the Cubs and Yankees in Des Moines, Iowa. On his 44th birthday, Wainwright also took home the MVP award for his role in launching the Cardinals team into the tournament finals Sept. 19-20 in Salt Lake City.
Former Cardinals pitching phenom and outfielder Rick Ankiel joined Wainwright on the Cardinals team with Taylor Shumaker, Florida Gators star outfielder and 2025 NFCA Freshman of the Year.
Wainwright led off the Cardinals’ duel against the Cubs with 13 home runs, outslugging former Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta. Wainwright and Ankiel also had some catches at the wall on defense to add to their score, per MLB.com reporter Michael Clair.
Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby X, or HRDX, is a three-on-three, 30-minute game that rewards players for, yes, home runs, but also defensive feats.
Against the Yankees team that featured Nick Swisher, Wainwright led off again and scored 20 points on 12 home runs. Ankiel added 21 points, and Swisher failed to run down the Cardinals in his swings as Wainwright’s team advanced with a 68-67 victory.
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