St. Louis Cardinals fans can breathe a sigh of relief as outfielder Jordan Walker is making strong progress in his recovery from a left knee injury. The 22-year-old has been sidelined for part of the spring, but recent updates suggest his return is imminent, leaving little cause for concern heading into the 2025 season.
Cardinals manager Oli Marmol provided an encouraging update on Friday, revealing that Walker has responded “really well” to treatment for his knee inflammation. Marmol expressed optimism that, barring any setbacks, Walker could be back in action for spring games as early as this Saturday. With this positive news, the young outfielder’s return is now within reach, ensuring that fans need not worry as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
While an official return date has yet to be confirmed, Saturday’s game seems like a realistic target for Walker’s first appearance back. His recovery and return to the field would be a significant boost for the Cardinals, providing him with ample time to shake off any rust and prepare for the 2025 regular season.

Walker, once regarded as one of the top prospects in all of baseball, has shown glimpses of his potential but has faced challenges in his first few seasons at the major league level. In 2023, he played 117 games and posted a solid .276 batting average with a .787 OPS, an encouraging start to his MLB career. However, 2024 has been a tougher year for Walker, who has appeared in just 51 games, batting .201 with a .619 OPS.
Despite these struggles, the Cardinals remain confident in Walker’s future. His talent and upside are still very much intact, and the team believes that with a full recovery, he can reach his potential and become a key contributor moving forward.
The Cardinals’ spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon, set for 1:05 PM EST in Florida, could mark Walker’s return to the field. Fans will be eager to see the young outfielder back in action, and his comeback provides an added sense of optimism as the team looks to build toward the 2025 season.
With Walker on track for a successful recovery, the Cardinals can look forward to a bright future with their promising outfielder ready to contribute once again. Stay tuned for more updates as Walker makes his way back to the lineup and prepares for a fresh start this spring.