JUAN YEPEZ NEWS

Collects hit in Nats debut Yepez went 1-for-4 with a walk in Friday's extra-innings loss to the Cardinals.

Impact Called up Thursday to replace Joey Meneses on the big-league roster, Yepez got his first start with the Nationals and banged out his first hit while starting at first base and batting seventh. The former Cardinal could get regular playing time at first base in the short term, but he'll likely get bumped to the bench or even back to the minors once Joey Gallo (hamstring) gets healthy.

JULY 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back in majors Yepez had his contract selected and was promoted to the majors on Thursday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Yepez has spent the year at Triple-A Rochester but will return to the majors after hitting .307 with an .833 OPS in June. The Nationals optioned Joey Meneses to Rochester on Thursday, so Yepez likely has his clearest path to playing time at first base.

JULY 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Becomes free agent Yepez was non-tendered by the Cardinals on Friday, making him a free agent.

Impact Yepez has flashed good power at times over the course of his professional career, but he put up a relatively underwhelming .736 OPS in 86 games this past season at the Triple-A level and struggled mightily in a couple different stints in St. Louis. The 25-year-old will look for a change of scenery this winter.

NOVEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Getting start in left field Yepez is starting in left field and batting fifth in Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Impact Yepez was recalled Sunday and this will be his first action in the majors since all the way back in early June. The 25-year-old has spent the vast majority of the season at Triple-A Memphis, where he's posted just a .736 OPS with nine homers in 86 contests.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in majors Yepez was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, Katie Woo of The Athleticreports.

Impact Yepez was up with the Cardinals early in the season but has been at Triple-A since early June. The 25-year-old has a .664 OPS in 46 big-league plate appearances this year, though he was better for Memphis with a .255/.323/.413 slash line in 86 games.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Memphis St. Louis optioned Yepez to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Impact Dylan Carlson (ankle) has been activated from the injured list in a corresponding 26-man roster move. Yepez, 25, carries a rough .214/.283/.381 batting line with two home runs in 20 games (46 plate appearances) this season at the major-league level.

JUNE 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Homers off bench Thursday Yepez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 16-8 win over the Dodgers.

Impact Yepez got in on the homer party despite not starting the contest -- he entered as a pinch hitter for Tommy Edman (abdomen) in the third inning and promptly hit a solo shot. There hasn't been much playing time for Yepez since he was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on May 5, but the Cardinals' outfield is starting to feel the impact of injuries. In addition to Edman, Dylan Carlson (ankle) and Tyler O'Neill (back) are nursing injuries. It's possible Yepez could serve as a platoon option in the corner outfielder positions in the near team. He's slashing .250/.276/.464 with two homers, two RBI and four runs scored through 29 plate appearances.

MAY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Yepez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game in Boston.

Impact After starting in each of the past three games while going 1-for-7 with a walk and a run scored, Yepez will cede left field to Brendan Donovan in the series finale. With Willson Contreras expected to transition back to full-time catching duties beginning with Monday's game against the Brewers, Donovan could end up shifting to second base, while Nolan Gorman steps in as St. Louis' primary designated hitter. Assuming that's the case, Yepez could still have a path to seeing regular playing time in left field, though perhaps in the short side of a platoon with the lefty-hitting Alec Burleson.

MAY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting in left field Friday Yepez is starting in left field and batting sixth Friday versus the Tigers.

Impact Yepez was called up from Triple-A Memphis on Friday afternoon and will jump right into the Cardinals' starting lineup against the Tigers and left-hander Matthew Boyd. Yepez could see semi-regular action, especially versus lefties, as Tyler O'Neill recovers from a lower back strain. Alec Burleson is on the bench Friday.

MAY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Promoted from Triple-A Yepez was recalled from Triple-A Memphis by the Cardinals on Friday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Impact It's not clear yet what the corresponding move is. Yepez is off to a slow start at Memphis this season with just a .751 OPS and three homers but clubbed 28 longballs between the majors and minors in 2022. He could see some starts against left-handers.

MAY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Memphis Yepez was optioned Saturday to Triple-A Memphis, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact Yepez gets the boot to clear out a 26-man roster spot for Lars Nootbaar, who is back from a jammed left thumb. Yepez went 4-for-12 with a homer during his short time with the Cardinals and should eventually get a more extended chance.

APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Launches first homer Yepez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 9-6 win over the Rockies.

Impact Yepez has started three of seven games since he was called up to replace Lars Nootbaar (thumb) on the active roster. While opportunities have been limited, Yepez has done well to take advantage of them, going 4-for-12 (.333) over those three contests. The 25-year-old was one of the Cardinals' last cuts in camp, but he'll likely have to settle for a short-side platoon role if he stays on the roster once Nootbaar is activated from the injured list.

APRIL 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Replacing injured Nootbaar Yepez was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Monday, Bally Sports Midwest reports.

Impact Yepez was sent to Triple-A to await an opening on the big-league roster, and he didn't have to wait long with Lars Nootbaar sidelined since Opening Day with a jammed thumb. Yepez should at least start against left-handed pitchers (Tuesday against Dylan Dodd, for instance) and he could get the occasional start against righties while he remains up.

APRIL 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Yepez was optioned to Triple-A Memphis by the Cardinals on Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact A bit of a surprise, as Yepez came into camp with a good chance to be in the lineup for the Cardinals as the starting designated hitter with some reps in the outfield. Instead, the 25-year-old will begin the season in Triple-A Memphis. Yepez still has a chance to help fantasy teams and St. Louis before the end of the season, but he can safely be dropped -- or left undrafted -- in most formats.

MARCH 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scratched from lineup Saturday Yepez has been scratched from Saturday's lineup for undisclosed reasons, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact Alec Burleson is now hitting second and playing left field in his place. There should be an update on why Yepez is out of the lineup shortly.

MARCH 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Long look in spring Yepez has gone 10-for-44 (.227) across 15 Grapefruit League games.

Impact Yepez's hitting hasn't been great, which is a little concerning since he's not guaranteed a roster spot. The 25-year-old has gotten a long look with a lot of Cardinals away at the World Baseball Classic, but the intensity of a competition for a roster spot should increase over the next week. Yepez could still make the roster as an option at designated hitter with the ability to check in at the corner infield and corner outfield spots, though his best path to playing time in the field is as Paul Goldschmidt's backup at first base.

MARCH 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

MLB 26-and-under power rankings: No. 10 St. Louis Cardinals

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MARCH 14, 2023

Ranking the best 18 DHs of 2023 in the MLB

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MARCH 1, 2023

Dealing with swelling in shin Yepez suffered significant swelling in his left shin after fouling a pitch off that area during batting practice Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Impact Yepez went through fielding drills Tuesday in Cardinals camp but sat out of live BP sessions as a precautionary measure. He should be fine after a few more days of lighter workouts. The 25-year-old currently projects to operate as the semi-regular DH in St. Louis this season after registering a .742 OPS with 12 home runs over his first 76 major-league games in 2022.

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

BenFred: Cardinals rookie Juan Yepez made most of season spent in Albert Pujols' shadow Yepez made case to be part of designated-hitter plans moving forward

OCTOBER 16, 2022 • STLTODAY.COM

MLB Wild Card: Padres silence Mets, Mariners shut out Blue Jays

The Mets, Mariners, Phillies and Guardians won their first wild-card game Friday. Here are the top plays of the day.

OCTOBER 8, 2022

2022 MLB Playoffs: Phillies stun Cardinals with ninth-inning rally in Game 1

The Cardinals appeared to be in control until a ninth-inning barrage from the Phillies' bats took Game 1 of their Wild-Card Series.

OCTOBER 7, 2022

Added to Monday's lineup Yepez is starting Monday against the Pirates, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Impact Yepez was slated to be out of the lineup for a third consecutive game Monday, but he'll start at the hot corner and bat sixth after Nolan Arenado (undisclosed) was scratched. Yepez went 2-for-3 with two doubles during Sunday's matchup against Pittsburgh.

OCTOBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE