Nelson Velázquez - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Jordan Walker powers the Cardinals past the Mets 9-2 for their 6th straight victory

Jordan Walker homered and drove in four runs, his latest big game in a breakout season, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Mets 9-2 to match a season high with their six...

JUNE 11 • Associated Press

Alec Burleson has 3 RBIs, Andre Pallante works 5 2/3 innings as Cardinals defeat Rangers 5-3

Alec Burleson drove in three runs, Andre Pallante threw 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball, and the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Texas Rangers 5-3

JUNE 4 • Associated Press

Cardinals' Joshua Baez is destroying Triple-A pitching, so why isn't he in St. Louis? First we got Jimmy Crooks, then Nelson Velazquez, then Hunter Dobbins. The last infinity stone is clobbering Triple-A arms.

JUNE 1 • REDBIRDRANTS.COM

Cardinals Instantly Rewarded For Promoting Nelson Velázquez The St. Louis Cardinals made the right call on Friday to promote Nelson Velázquez.

MAY 30 • SI.COM

Homers in season debut Velazquez went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 6-5 win over the Cubs. He was also hit by a pitch.

Impact Velazquez hit cleanup in his 2026 debut and launched a three-run blast off Shota Imanaga in his first at-bat. The 27-year-old slashed .232/.344/.420 with seven homers, 22 RBI, 21 runs scored and four steals across 163 plate appearances at Triple-A Memphis, but he'd been swinging a hot bat prior to his promotion and appears to have the confidence of manager Oliver Marmol against left-handed pitching.

MAY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Cardinals waited months for Nelson Velázquez — he delivered on the very first pitch | Sporting News The very first pitch he saw as a Cardinal was crushed

MAY 30 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Velázquez, Saggese, Herrera hit HRs, lift Cardinals to a 6-5 win over the Cubs

Nelson Velázquez hit a three-run homer and Iván Herrera and Thomas Saggese added solo shots, powering the St. Louis Cardinals to a 6-5 win over the Chicago Cubs in the first meetin...

MAY 30 • Associated Press

Cardinals promote Crooks, Velázquez from Triple-A Memphis

The St. Louis Cardinals promoted catching prospect Jimmy Crooks and outfielder Nelson Velázquez from Triple-A before beginning a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs

MAY 29 • Associated Press

Contract selected The Cardinals selected Velazquez's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Impact Velazquez nearly won an Opening Day roster spot with a big spring but then got off to a slow start at Memphis. However, the 27-year-old earned a promotion after slashing .308/.418/.600 with five home runs for Memphis in May. The right-handed-hitting Velazquez could see some starts in left field and or at designated hitter against left-handed pitching.

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Reassigned to Triple-A The Cardinals reassigned Velazquez to Triple-A Memphis on Monday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact A non-roster invitee this spring, Velazquez put himself in position for a major-league roster spot by hitting .357/.449/.667 with four home runs and a 7:4 BB:K during Grapefruit League play. However, the Cardinals ultimately decided to send the 27-year-old to Memphis to start the season. Velazquez could still get a look with the big club if he gets off to a hot start in the minors, though that could depend on how quickly Lars Nootbaar (heels) makes it back.

MARCH 23 • ROTOWIRE

Continues push for roster spot Velazquez clubbed a two-run home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

Impact Velazquez took Sean Manaea deep to the opposite field in the bottom of the first inning for his third home run of the spring. The three long balls tie him for the team lead, and he also boasts a 5:2 BB:K. The lack of a 40-man roster spot works against him, but Velazquez is making a real push for starts in left field for the Cardinals early in the season while Lars Nootbaar (heels) is sidelined.

MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE

In mix for reps in left field Velazquez is among the competitors for playing time in left field for the Cardinals while Lars Nootbaar (heels) is sidelined, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Impact Nootbaar is expected to get a late start to the season as he continues his recovery from surgery on both heels. In camp as a non-roster invitee, Velazquez entered play Sunday having gone 5-for-17 with one home run, one double and a 2:1 BB:K over his first six Grapefruit League contests. The Cardinals' lineup leans lefty-heavy, which helps the right-handed-hitting Velazquez's case, but working against him is that he's the only one in the mix that's not already on the 40-man roster. Nathan Church, Jose Fermin and Thomas Saggese are also competing for reps in left field.

MARCH 8 • ROTOWIRE

Gets NRI from St. Louis The Cardinals signed Velazquez to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Impact Velazquez split the 2025 season between the Triple-A level in the Royals and Pirates organizations and also spent time in the Mexican League. The 27-year-old has cranked 31 home runs in 615 plate appearances at the major-league level, but that's come with just a .212/.286/.433 career batting line and 28.8 percent strikeout rate. The Cardinals have been looking for a right-handed-hitting reserve outfielder, which gives Velazquez a chance to make the team even if the odds aren't high.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates farm report for Sept. 21, 2025: Nelson Velázquez's homer seals season finale win for Indy INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 87-62) topped Gwinnett (Braves), 6-4, in the season finale. RF Nelson Velazquez (.234) was 3 for 5 with a two-run ho...

SEPTEMBER 21, 2025 • TRIBLIVE.COM

Cut by Royals The Royals released Velazquez on Wednesday.

Impact Velazquez has been in the minors all season but will now enter the open market after slashing .202/.298/.377 across 131 plate appearances at Triple-A Omaha. The 26-year-old owns a career .719 OPS in the majors and should still be able to latch on with another club on a minor-league deal.

MAY 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Kansas City Royals release right-hander Ross Stripling and catcher Luke Maile

The Kansas City Royals have released right-hander Ross Stripling and catcher Luke Maile after they opted out of their contracts

MARCH 23, 2025 • Associated Press

Outrighted to Triple-A Velazquez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Impact Velazquez posted a .595 OPS over 29 plate appearances during spring training, so Kansas City won't keep him on the 40-man roster. The 26-year-old clubbed 14 homers in just 40 games for the Royals in 2023 but delivered a .200/.274/.366 slash line in 64 regular-season contests last year.

MARCH 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action Friday Velazquez (calf) is starting in right field and batting cleanup in Friday's spring game against the Angels.

Impact Velazquez departed Wednesday's contest due to calf cramps but is ready to rejoin the lineup after a day off. The 26-year-old hasn't put himself in a strong position to earn a place on the Opening Day roster, as he's gone 2-for-16 through eight spring games.

MARCH 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with calf cramps Velazquez exited Wednesday's Cactus League game versus the Mariners due to a calf cramp, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Manager Matt Quatraro didn't seem too concerned with Velazquez's injury while relaying his diagnosis after the game, so the 26-year-old outfielder isn't likely to miss much time. He's had a tough time at the plate this spring, going 2-for-16 with two runs scored over eight games.

MARCH 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Makes early exit Wednesday Velazquez was removed from Wednesday's Cactus League game against Seattle due to an apparent injury, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Velazquez suffered the injury while fielding a ball near the outfield wall, though it's not immediately apparent what he's dealing with. Kansas City will take a closer look at him and should provide some clarity on his status soon.

MARCH 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back in lineup Sunday Velazquez will serve as the designated hitter and bat seventh in Sunday's series finale against the Rangers.

Impact Velazquez was originally slated to sit for the fourth consecutive game Sunday, but he was inserted into the lineup after Adam Frazier was scratched due to a right thumb sprain he sustained in Saturday's 6-0 loss. Velazquez will look to take advantage of the opportunity as he faces off against the returning Max Scherzer on Sunday.

JUNE 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting again Saturday Velazquez is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Texas.

Impact Velazquez will be out of the lineup Saturday for the third straight game. The lefty-hitting Vinnie Pasquantino will serve as the designated hitter and bat third against Rangers right-hander Jon Gray.

JUNE 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nelson Velazquez, Royals bid to avert sweep vs. Padres Nelson Velazquez is rediscovering his power stroke.As the Kansas City Royals bid to salvage the finale of their three-game series against th...

JUNE 2, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Nelson Velazquez (2 HRs), Royals overpower Twins Nelson Velazquez went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs and the Kansas City Royals pulled away for a 6-1 win over the Minnesota Twin...

MAY 30, 2024 • THESTATE.COM

Clubs pair of homers Velazquez went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Twins.

Impact Velazquez looks to be regaining his power swing with four homers over his last seven contests. He's still lacking in overall consistency at the plate -- he was hitless in his previous three games before his strong effort Wednesday. The 25-year-old is up to seven long balls on the year while adding 19 RBI, 24 runs scored, one stolen base and a .224/.292/.410 slash line over 47 contests. Velazquez is seeing steady playing time between the corner outfield spots and designated hitter.

MAY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

NELSON VELÁZQUEZ NEWS

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INJURIES

Jordan Walker powers the Cardinals past the Mets 9-2 for their 6th straight victory

Alec Burleson has 3 RBIs, Andre Pallante works 5 2/3 innings as Cardinals defeat Rangers 5-3

Velázquez, Saggese, Herrera hit HRs, lift Cardinals to a 6-5 win over the Cubs

Cardinals promote Crooks, Velázquez from Triple-A Memphis

Kansas City Royals release right-hander Ross Stripling and catcher Luke Maile