This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Cardinals' Rainiel Rodriguez: Makes start at first base

By RotoWire Staff

Apr 5, 2026 at 11:44 am ET • 1 min read

Now Playing

Link copied!

Rodriguez made his first career professional start at first base with High-A Peoria on Saturday.

After starting at catcher and homering in the season opener Friday, Rodriguez was used at first base Saturday and went 0-for-3 with a walk. All indications are that the Cardinals will continue to develop Rodriguez as a catcher, but they have lots of organizational depth at the position and it's the 19-year-old's bat that will carry him. If Rodriguez does eventually move to first base or another less physically taxing position, it could accelerate his ascension to the big leagues.