Rosenthal’s Sore Elbow Leads to DL

photo: Trevor Rosenthal (USA TODAY Sports Images)

St. Louis Cardinals press release

Trevor Rosenthal (USA TODAY Sports Images)

The St. Louis Cardinals announced this afternoon (Thursday) that they have placed right-handed pitcher Trevor Rosenthal on the 10-day disabled list with right posterior elbow irritation.  Right-handed pitcher Luke Weaver was recalled from Memphis (AAA) and will be eligible for tonight’s game in Pittsburgh.

Rosenthal, 27, had appeared in 50 games this season posting a 3-4 record with a 3.40 ERA and 76 strikeouts over 47.2 innings while converting 11 saves, including seven in as many appearances from July 28 through August 12.  He was removed from Wednesday night’s game in Boston after facing two batters in the ninth inning allowing a home run and issuing a walk.

Luke Weaver/USA TODAY Sports Images

Weaver, 23, the Cardinals 1st round draft pick in 2014 out of Florida State University, will appear on the Cardinals Major League roster for the third time this season, also getting recalled on July 3 and July 27.

The rookie pitcher is 1-1 with a 3.77 ERA in 14.1 innings at the Major League level this season making two starts and four total appearances.  His last MLB appearance was a start at Milwaukee on August 3, earning the win while pitching 6.1 innings allowing two runs while striking out eight batters.  Over two seasons in the Major Leagues, Weaver is 2-5 with a 5.10 ERA in 13 career appearances with 10 starts.  He will turn 24 on Monday.

In 15 minor league starts at Memphis, Weaver was 10-2 with a 2.55 ERA, striking out 76 batters in 77.2 innings.  His 10 wins led the Redbirds and ranks T-7th among all triple-A pitchers.

Weaver wears uniform No. 62.

Brian Walton’s take

We likely have not heard the end of Rosenthal’s elbow woes, which obviously came at a terrible time for the team. It is unclear how Mike Matheny will handle the ninth inning going forward, but Seung-hwan Oh and Tyler Lyons could be among those in the mix for saves.

Though Matheny was clear when asked on Wednesday that he was not holding back any relievers that night in case Adam Wainwright needed coverage on Thursday, the arrival of Weaver offers just that. A side benefit in Weaver’s choice to join St. Louis is that he is fully rested. He had been Memphis’ Thursday starter, with Kevin Herget replacing him.

Wainwright dealt with a cut finger two starts ago, his first outing coming off the disabled list, and last time out was not sharp. Against the Braves on Friday, he had no strikeouts for the first time in over 10 years – since June 2007.

Weaver’s designated role is unclear, with the Cardinals reaffirming on Wednesday that they have no plans to make any changes with struggling starter Mike Leake.

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Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnationblog.com. Follow Brian on Twitter.

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