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JUPITER, Fla. — Before heading to his team’s clubhouse after homering and catching six innings Friday night against the Houston Astros, Ivan Herrera wanted to stay in the Cardinals’ dugout for an additional inning for one reason: He wanted to see Cardinals prospect and fellow Panama-born catcher Leonardo Bernal play.

Herrera’s decision allowed him to see Bernal’s lone plate appearance of the night, which led to a special moment with the 21-year-old Bernal.

With Herrera shouting from the dugout for Bernal to “stay back� with his swing and to “slow down� as he stood in the box against a left-handed pitcher, Bernal sent a 1-2 sweeper over the center field wall of Roger Dean Stadium for a home run that gave the Cardinals an insurance run in the seventh inning of their 6-4 win over Houston in Jupiter, Florida.

“I got sentimental about it. To see this guy from Panama — a guy that really cares about me and I really care about him,� Herrera said on Friday night. “We support each other. It’s just a cool moment to see.�

The home run was Bernal’s first-ever in a big-league spring training setting. It came after Herrera, 24, hit a two-run homer — his first of this spring training — to left field in the third inning.

“It feels really good to share that moment with him (Herrera),� Bernal said in Spanish. “I feel really good and happy to be able to compete at this level.�

Bernal entered spring training as a non-roster invitee to Cardinals camp for a second consecutive year. The switch-hitting prospect received a non-roster invite a year ago but had just one plate appearance before being reassigned to minors camp ahead of a minor league season that ended with him in Class AA.

Bernal’s time in big-league camp has given him exposure to Cardinals coaches and allowed him to work alongside the club’s big-league catchers, Herrera and Pedro Pages.

“He’s young, but he’s getting the opportunities because he shows that he’s mature enough to be here and shows every day that he can be on time, do little things, be a professional,� Herrera said. “I think he’s earned that. He comes every day, works hard as usual.�

As one of 81 players born in Panama to reach the majors, Herrera, who debuted in 2022, has looked to be a resource for Bernal and other young players throughout the Cardinals system.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re from Panama. I like being there for my guys, my teammates,� said Herrera, who noted he was yelling catching tips to Bernal while the 21-year-old was behind the plate

Herrera recalls first talking to Bernal when Bernal signed with the Cardinals as an international free agent in 2021, over five years after Herrera turned professional as an international free agent signee of the Cardinals. The two did not meet until they were both in Jupiter, Florida, two or three spring trainings before this year’s camp.

They both live in their native Panama during the offseason and talked about training together over the offseason this past winter, but the distance they live between one another presented some difficulties. But regardless of the distance between them, the two have maintained regular communication as one prepares for a fourth season in the majors and the other continues his path up the minors.

“I feel really proud to have a compatriot here,� Bernal said. “Really, he’s helped me a lot with the maturity that I’ve had within the game. … He’s given me a lot of advice so that I can have a good season and a long career.�

Walker to be reevaluated Monday

Right fielder Jordan Walker continued taking swings on Saturday as he nurses a left knee injury that forced an early exit from a Tuesday game against the Nationals when he stepped on a sprinkler cover while fielding a fly ball. After taking dry swings on Friday, Walker progressed to hitting soft toss and has also played catch since being sidelined.

Walker, who has inflammation above his left knee, will be reevaluated Monday, per Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol.

Extra bases

Left-hander Steven Matz allowed two runs and five hits over four innings in a Saturday start against the Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beach in West Palm Beach, Florida. Matz struck out three batters and did not issue a walk. He induced eight groundouts in the Cardinals’ 5-3 win.

The Cardinals are expected to have Andre Pallante start Sunday at Roger Dean Stadium against the New York Yankees. Pallante is scheduled for four innings of work. Prospect Michael McGreevy is in line to pitch four innings behind Pallante.

After Friday’s game, the Cardinals optioned pitchers Sem Robberse and Matt Svanson to minor league camp.

The Cardinals signed all 28 of their pre-arbitration service time players to deals for the 2025 season. The pool of players includes: Luken Baker, Alec Burleson, Jose Fermin, Ryan Fernandez, Nolan Gorman, Gordon Graceffo, Michael Helman, Tink Hence, Ivan Herrera, Bailey Horn, Matt Koperniak, Kyle Leahy, Matthew Liberatore, Ryan Loutos, Michael McGreevy, Roddery Munoz, Riley O’Brien, Pedro Pages, Robberse, Tekoah Roby, Chris Roycroft, Thomas Saggese, Victor Scott II, Michael Siani, Svanson, Zack Thompson, Jordan Walker, and Masyn Winn. The Cardinals have signed all their players for 2025.