The Cardinals have activated right-handed pitcher Riley O’Brien from the 60-day injured checklist, the workforce introduced. He has been optioned to Triple-A Memphis. In a corresponding transaction, fellow right-hander Nick Robertson has been designated for project.
O’Brien, 29, has been on the injured checklist virtually all season with a proper forearm flexor pressure. The Cardinals clearly like what he has to supply – he made the Opening Day roster out of camp – however they finally determined he’s an excessive amount of of an unknown amount for a spot within the bullpen proper now (per Jeff Jones of the Belleville Information-Democrat). Jones notes that the choice for the ultimate spot within the bullpen got here right down to O’Brien and Kyle Leahy, and the Cardinals have been extra assured in what Leahy brings to the desk. Leahy, 27, has a 3.86 ERA and 4.46 SIERA in 37 1/3 innings this season. O’Brien, then again, has solely pitched 3 1/3 innings in his MLB profession. His Triple-A numbers have been promising final season (2.29 ERA, 3.77 FIP in 55 IP), nevertheless it’s comprehensible why the Cardinals would need to see extra from him earlier than throwing him again into their bullpen amid a detailed postseason race.
Robertson, 26, came to visit to the Cardinals this offseason as a part of the commerce return for outfielder Tyler O’Neill. He made eight appearances for St. Louis, pitching to a 4.38 ERA and a pair of.97 SIERA in 12 1/3 innings. Nonetheless, he has a far much less interesting 7.48 ERA in 21 2/3 innings at Triple-A. If he passes by waivers unclaimed, the Cardinals can select to ship him outright to Triple-A (the place he’s already pitching) as further minor league pitching depth.