The St. Louis Cardinals have finalized a deal to bring back catcher Yohel Pozo for the 2026 season, just days after he was non-tendered by the club. According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the agreement will keep the fan-favorite catcher in the organization, presumably on a minor league contract.

Pozo, 28, became a key depth piece for the Cardinals in 2025, appearing in a career-high 67 games. While his overall numbers at the plate—.231/.262/.375 in 188 plate appearances—were modest, he delivered in key moments. Pozo proved to be a reliable right-handed option off the bench, hitting .296 with a .593 slugging percentage in a pinch-hit role. His clutch hitting quickly made him a popular figure in the clubhouse and with the fans. In fact, his teammates voted him as the recipient of the Darryl Kile Award, an honor given to the player who best exemplifies leadership and character.

This move gives the Cardinals another layer of catching depth behind Pedro Pages, Iván Herrera, Jimmy Crooks, and Leonardo Bernal. With a full slate of minor league options, Pozo provides valuable roster flexibility, allowing him to be moved between St. Louis and Triple-A Memphis without being exposed to waivers.

Yohel Pozo’s Journey in the Big Leagues

Yohel Pozo’s path in professional baseball has been anything but ordinary. His offensive numbers in Triple-A have always turned heads, where he boasts a career .321 batting average. However, questions about his defense have followed him throughout his career.

During the 2025 season with St. Louis, he showed flashes of his offensive potential, including five home runs as a starter. While his primary role was backing up Pages, he earned his spot as a go-to bat off the bench. This reunion makes sense for both sides: Pozo gets another shot with a big-league club, and the Cardinals retain a respected player who provides solid insurance behind the plate.

What This Means for the Cardinals’ Roster

The Cardinals’ front office has been active in recent days, making several roster moves ahead of the non-tender deadline. Pozo was one of four players, including lefty John King, non-tendered on Friday to open up 40-man roster spots. However, the team expressed interest in reuniting with some of those players, and Yohel Pozo’s quick return is the first example of that strategy playing out.

With Iván Herrera’s health and return to catching still a factor to be determined in spring training, having a familiar face like Yohel Pozo in the system is a smart play. He’s not expected to jump to the top of the depth chart, but he offers a dependable presence who has already proven he can contribute when his number is called.

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