Opening Day has arrived for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Their first meaningful game is today, after their 2025 season finale on Sep. 28 against the Chicago Cubs. The Cardinals were swept by Chicago in that three-game series to end the 2025 season. After that, Chaim Bloom took over as the team’s president of baseball operations.
Baseball is back and it should be a fun season, with Cardinals fans getting their first glimpse of No. 1 prospect JJ Wetherholt in a big league game. But before the games could begin, the Cardinals released five minor leaguers from the system.
Cardinals’ Opening Day Roster Moves
Early on Thursday morning, the Cardinals announced the release of five minor leaguers. The players released include outfielder Andrew Sojka, right-handed pitcher Charles Harrison, outfielder Romtres Cabrera, infielder Yancel Guerrero and infielder Yoerny Junco.
“The following players have been given their unconditional release: OF Andrew Sojka (A+), RHP Charles Harrison IV (A), OF Romtres Cabrera (FCL), INF Yancel Guerrero (FCL), [and] INF Yoerny Junco (FCL),” the Cardinals announced.
Details on Released Prospect Charles Harrison
Of the group, Harrison is the most interesting of the prospects released. He was a seventh-round pick by the team in the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft and is just 24 years old. Harrison made his professional debut in 2024, appearing in three games with the FCL Cardinals.
In 2025, he spent time with the FCL Cardinals and with Class-A Palm Beach. Overall, he had a 3.89 ERA in 24 total appearances out of the bullpen, including three saves. He also had 40 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings pitched.
It wouldn’t be shocking to see another team take a chance on him with a minor league deal. He was a seventh-round pick just a few years ago and has been solid down in the minors.
Little Impact on the Big League Club
None of these decisions move the needle for St. Louis right now. None of them were on the big league radar quite yet.
The Cardinals are young and hungry to prove themselves.