Three Familiar Faces Set for Emotional Return to Busch Stadium in April

Opening Day is circled on every baseball fan’s calendar, and in St. Louis, that day arrives on Thursday, March 26, when the Cardinals host the Tampa Bay Rays to kick off the 2026 season. It’ll be the third time in four years the Cardinals start their campaign at home, and while the early season schedule packs its usual competitive punch, it’s the month of April that’s shaping up to be especially emotional for fans at Busch Stadium.

That’s because three former Cardinals-Willson Contreras, Sonny Gray, and Brendan Donovan-are all set to make their return to St. Louis, this time wearing different uniforms. The Red Sox and Mariners both visit Busch in April, bringing with them not just new lineups, but familiar faces who left their mark on the Cardinals organization.

Red Sox Series Brings Contreras and Gray Back to St. Louis

From April 10-12, the Boston Red Sox come to town for a three-game set, and with them come two of the most recent departures from the Cardinals’ roster.

Sonny Gray, who was dealt to Boston in November, will be back on the mound at Busch for the first time since the trade. The deal sent Gray to the Red Sox in exchange for right-hander Richard Fitts and lefty prospect Brandon Clarke, with the Cardinals also chipping in cash to offset the remaining salary on Gray’s contract. Fitts, 26, is expected to compete for a rotation spot in spring training, while Clarke continues his development in the minors.

If Gray lines up as Boston’s No. 3 starter, he’s currently slated to pitch that Friday night game. Of course, that’s always subject to change depending on how the rotation shakes out, but the possibility of Gray toeing the rubber in front of the St.

Louis crowd again is a compelling storyline. During his time with the Cardinals, Gray was a workhorse-averaging over 200 strikeouts per season and anchoring the rotation with a 4.07 ERA.

His impact was tangible, even if the team didn’t quite reach the postseason heights it hoped for.

Then there’s Willson Contreras, who joined Gray in Boston a month later via another trade. The Cardinals sent Contreras to the Red Sox in exchange for righty Hunter Dobbins and two prospects, Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita, along with more financial considerations to help facilitate the move. Like Fitts, Dobbins is a candidate to crack the big-league rotation out of spring, while Fajardo and Aita will continue to develop in the minors.

Contreras is expected to be Boston’s starting first baseman this season, and he’ll likely hit somewhere in the heart of their order. His bat remains potent-he posted a .817 OPS across three seasons in St.

Louis-and his leadership in the clubhouse was well-regarded. He’s already spoken highly of the Cardinals organization and the fanbase that embraced him, and you can bet the feeling will be mutual when he steps back onto the Busch Stadium grass.

Mariners Series Marks Donovan’s Homecoming

Two weeks after Boston leaves town, the Seattle Mariners arrive for a weekend series from April 24-26. That visit will mark Brendan Donovan’s first time facing the Cardinals, the team that drafted him nearly a decade ago and watched him grow into one of the league’s most versatile and valuable contributors.

Donovan was traded earlier this week in a deal that brought a package of prospects and draft picks to St. Louis, headlined by highly regarded pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje.

In Seattle, Donovan is expected to be the team’s everyday third baseman, but in true Donovan fashion, he’ll likely continue to bounce around the diamond as needed-just like he did in St. Louis.

During his four seasons with the Cardinals, Donovan carved out a reputation as a grinder with a high baseball IQ and a knack for making the right play at the right time. He racked up 11.1 bWAR, earned a Gold Glove, and made an All-Star appearance-all while playing nearly every position on the field. His return will no doubt be an emotional one, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he receives the loudest ovation of the three.

A Moment for Appreciation

Between Contreras, Gray, and Donovan, these three players gave the Cardinals a combined 13 years of dedication, production, and professionalism. While the team didn’t achieve the postseason success it hoped for during their tenures, each of them brought value both on and off the field.

Now, with the Red Sox and Mariners visiting Busch Stadium in April, Cardinals fans will have the chance to show their appreciation. It might not be a sellout crowd-attendance hasn’t been what it once was-but those who make it out to the ballpark will have the opportunity to give three former Cardinals the warm welcome they deserve.

Whether it’s Gray dealing from the mound, Contreras digging in at the plate, or Donovan flashing leather at third, these moments are what make baseball special. April won’t just be about wins and losses-it’ll be about gratitude, respect, and a chance to say thank you.