On the Cardinals bench, Oli Marmol sounds like a man with his hands tied.

The St. Louis Cardinals’ offensive struggles persisted on Tuesday night as they fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1. Manager Oli Marmol’s post-game comments reflected his frustration with the limited options available on the bench for late-game situations.

The Athletic’s Katie Woo highlighted this concern in her line of questioning, pointing out the lack of talent off the bench and illustrating it with specific moments from the game. Marmol’s response to Woo’s observation about the limited options was telling: “There is, because of the reasons you just described. Yes. Yeah, that’s correct.”

This response was a clear call for reinforcements without directly stating it.

Injuries have exacerbated the Cardinals’ bench woes. Key players like Tommy Edman, who hasn’t played this season, Lars Nootbaar, who is on the injured list, and Willson Contreras, out since early May, have all been missed. Even young slugger Jordan Walker is currently working on his swing in Memphis and hasn’t been able to contribute.

The current roster further complicates the situation. Brandon Crawford is primarily a backup for Masyn Winn and serves more as a mentor, limiting his role to starting games when Winn needs a break. Matt Carpenter, though impactful at times, is the most dangerous hitter off the bench, which is not ideal given his stage in his career. Dylan Carlson’s struggles this year make him a less effective option, especially against left-handed pitchers. Jose Fermin could provide versatility and improve the bench utilization, but the current setup limits his role.

Having multiple players on the bench who serve specialized roles restricts Marmol’s ability to strategically use his bullpen in late-game scenarios. While reserve players have their value, having too many specialized roles can be detrimental, particularly for a team like the Cardinals that is not operating as a well-oiled machine. The team lacks a top-tier rotation, and while the bullpen and defense have been solid, the overall offense has yet to fully click.

This isn’t just a Marmol issue but also a front office problem, specifically for John Mozeliak. Mozeliak has expressed interest in acquiring a right-handed bat capable of playing center field, which would certainly help the team. Getting healthier and bolstering the bench are crucial for the Cardinals, especially as they are three games under .500 and can’t afford to wait things out.

If the Cardinals were in a better position, they might be able to be patient, but with their current struggles, immediate help is necessary, and it’s up to the front office to provide it.