In the final days of spring training, the Cardinals’ coaching staff began narrowing down the list of pitchers competing for the official rotation.

According to internal reports, the team is focusing on a group of pitchers including Matthew Liberatore, Michael McGreevy, Dustin May, Kyle Leahy, Richard Fitts, and Andre Pallante for the starting positions at the beginning of the season.

This means a harsh reality: Hunter Dobbins is not among the main contenders at the moment.

Sources indicate that the Cardinals are gradually bringing Dobbins back after his 2025 ACL injury, so he has only been pitching in control practice sessions instead of fully participating in the rotation competition.

Upon hearing the news, Dobbins tried to remain calm in front of the media.

But in every word he spoke, the disappointment was evident.

“Honestly, this is very hard to accept,” Dobbins said.

“You work all winter, you imagine the moment you pitch on Opening Day… and then you realize you’re not there yet.”

Hunter Dobbins is no stranger to MLB fans.

The 26-year-old pitcher made headlines in the 2025 season while playing for Boston. In his rookie season, he achieved a 4-1 record with an ERA of 4.13 in 13 appearances, including 11 starts.

That performance led to him being considered a pitcher with great potential.

However, his season was cut short by a serious ACL injury, forcing a complete overhaul of his development plans.

After the offseason, Dobbins was traded to the Cardinals in a deal with the Red Sox as the St. Louis team decided to rejuvenate their rotation and accumulate more pitching talent.

For Dobbins, it was a huge opportunity.

He believed he could secure a spot in the rotation.

But the reality of spring training proved things weren’t so easy.

This year’s Cardinals rotation is one of MLB’s youngest and deepest.

Matthew Liberatore and Michael McGreevy are almost certain to be in the starting lineup. Dustin May – a promising free agent – ​​is also seen as a new pillar of the rotation.

Behind them are a host of other young pitchers fiercely competing.

Kyle Leahy, Andre Pallante, and Richard Fitts all have MLB experience and are performing well in spring training.

In that context, Dobbins – who is still recovering – simply can’t break into the race yet.

A teammate of Dobbins revealed that the young pitcher was silent for quite some time after hearing the news.

No anger. No blame. Just quiet disappointment.

After practice that day, Dobbins told reporters:

“I’ve dreamed of pitching on Opening Day since I was a kid. When you get so close to it and then have to wait even longer, it’s really hard.”

But after a few seconds of silence, he continued:

“However, this isn’t the end. I still believe I’ll have my chance.”

Dobbins understands that the MLB season is 162 games long.

Rotation rarely stays the same all year.

Injuries, form, and a packed schedule always create new opportunities.

And that’s exactly what he’s waiting for.

“The only thing I can control is how I prepare,” Dobbins said.

“If the opportunity comes in May, June, or anytime… I want to make sure I’m ready.”

For Cardinals fans, Hunter Dobbins may not be the biggest name in the rotation.

But his story – a young pitcher overcoming injury, striving for a comeback, and continuing to fight – has touched many hearts.

In baseball, the road to success is rarely straight.

And sometimes, moments of disappointment like this become the starting point for a powerful comeback.

The 2026 season is still a long way off. And Hunter Dobbins is still waiting for his day.