Back Injury Cuts Off His Season, but Red Spirit Still Burning in the Young Soldier’s Heart
The 2025 season kicked off with high hopes for the St. Louis Cardinals. Among the names expected to shine, Zack Thompson — a left-handed pitcher with a cool and refined style — was a gem forged over many Minor League seasons. He was expected to be not only a pillar in the bullpen, but also the face of the rising generation of Cardinals.
However, before the season could even get into full swing, all expectations were cut short by a dull and relentless pain in the back of his left back — a vital area for any pitcher.
During a routine workout in late March, Zack felt “unwell.” His throws were no longer smooth, his accuracy was declining, and more importantly, the pain was getting worse with each throw.
Tests were quickly conducted. The diagnosis: a left latissimus dorsi strain (Grade 1 lat strain) — a seemingly minor injury, but for a pitcher, it could mean a permanent exit. He was officially placed on the 60-day injured list in early April, meaning he would miss at least half the season.
To fans, Zack Thompson is the embodiment of hard work and hope. A former National Team player who was selected in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Cardinals, he has spent the past several seasons working tirelessly to earn a stable spot in the first-team bullpen.
“I’m ready for this year,” Zack said in an internal interview. “Ready to help get the team back to the playoffs, ready to prove that I’m worthy of wearing a Cardinals uniform.”
“But then one day, I wasn’t on the mound anymore. I was in the treatment room, watching my teammates on TV, wondering: if I was still healthy, would the results be different?”
Thompson, despite not appearing in the media much, has diligently followed all the recovery procedures. From musculoskeletal therapy to re-strengthening his back and shoulders, everything has been done carefully to avoid a relapse. He has been throwing light throws since late May, but there is no official return date.
Head coach Oliver Marmol spoke emotionally about him:
“Zack is an indispensable part of this group. He is not on the field, but the locker room feels his presence. The way he fights, even in silence, gives the team spirit.”
“I miss everyone a lot,” Zack shared. “I miss the sound of the bat hitting the ball, I miss the cheers at Busch Stadium. But what I miss most… is the feeling of stepping onto the mound, the feeling of putting on that red jersey, surrounded by teammates that I call family.”
Although there is no specific time for his return, Cardinals fans believe that Zack Thompson will not stop. He may have temporarily collapsed, but his fighting spirit still burns brightly in every practice session, every treatment session.
In the darkness of injury and the silence of days without playing, Zack Thompson is still the silent warrior of the Cardinals. No need for the spotlight, no need for the perfect pitch, just with the love for the team and the unspoken promise: “I will be back, and stronger than ever.”