The St. Louis Cardinals continue experimenting with their roster as they move through what was originally expected to be a rebuilding season. Entering Thursday’s matchup against the Athletics, St. Louis carried a strong 24-18 record and remained only 2½ games behind first place in the National League Central. Despite modest expectations coming into the year, the Cardinals have stayed competitive while also using the season as an opportunity to evaluate players in different roles.
Manager Oli Marmol made an unusual lineup decision in the final game of the three-game series by starting versatile utility player José Fermín at first base for the first time in his professional career. The move caught attention because Fermín had never previously appeared at the position in either the majors or minors.
According to reports shared before the game, the Cardinals decided to give regular first baseman Alec Burleson a day of rest after an extended stretch of playing time. While resting Burleson was understandable, the surprising part was turning to Fermín at first instead of using a more traditional option. The decision highlighted the organization’s willingness to test new possibilities as it evaluates roster flexibility for the future.
Fermín has already established himself as one of the club’s most versatile players. Throughout his career, he has spent time at all three outfield positions while also covering second base, third base, and shortstop. First base had remained the only non-catching position he had not yet played. Thursday’s start officially added another position to his résumé and further increased his value to the Cardinals.
For St. Louis, having a player capable of moving around the diamond provides important depth. Injuries, rest days, and matchup decisions often force teams to adjust quickly over the course of a long season. By giving Fermín experience at first base, the Cardinals now have another right-handed option available whenever Burleson needs time off or is used in another role such as designated hitter.
The 27-year-old has quietly contributed in limited opportunities this season. Coming mostly off the bench, Fermín has produced a respectable .268 batting average along with a .340 on-base percentage and a .415 slugging percentage. He has also added a home run, seven RBIs, and a .755 OPS, showing he can provide value offensively when called upon.
One of his most memorable moments earlier in the season came during a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates in April, when he delivered the game-winning hit in the opener. Performances like that have helped him earn additional trust from the coaching staff.
The Cardinals may still view this season as part of a larger transition period, but moves like this demonstrate how the organization is searching for long-term answers. Experimenting with versatile players gives the team more flexibility and allows the coaching staff to better understand how different pieces might fit moving forward.
Now that Fermín has officially appeared at first base, the Cardinals have another layer of insurance at the position. It also raises curiosity about whether he could continue seeing time there in future games. As St. Louis keeps pushing to stay in the division race, the team will be watching closely to see how well the utility man adapts to his newest defensive assignment.
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