Cardinals DFA Kevin Siegrist, Recall John Gant

photo: Kevin Siegrist (Jeff Curry/USA TODAY Sports Images)

The St. Louis Cardinals have designated reliever Kevin Siegrist for assignment, recalling pitcher John Gant from Triple-A Memphis.

St. Louis Cardinals press release

Kevin Siegrist (USA TODAY Sports Images)

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Thursday) that they have recalled right-handed pitcher John Gant from triple-A Memphis to join the team for tonight’s game in San Francisco.  The team also announced that left-handed pitcher Kevin Siegrist was activated from the 10-day disabled list and designated for assignment.

Gant, 25, was acquired by the Cardinals last December in the trade that sent Jaime Garcia to the Atlanta Braves.  In 18 starts with Memphis this season, Gant is 6-5 with a 3.83 ERA, pitching 103.1 innings while striking out 99 batters, ranking 10th in the Pacific Coast League.

John Gant (USA TODAY Sports Images)

He has won his last five decisions over seven starts dating back to July 24, the only pitcher in the Pacific Coast League with at least five wins and no losses during that span.    Gant has held his opposition to three runs or less in each of his last four starts and has not allowed a home run since August 4th.   He earned Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week honors during the week of June 12-18.

Gant began the 2017 season on the 10-day disabled list on the St. Louis roster and was optioned to Memphis upon activation from the disabled list on May 16.  He was recalled to St. Louis on May 31 and made one relief appearance throwing 3.1 innings at Cincinnati on June 6, which is tied for the longest relief outing by a Cardinals pitcher this season.

Siegrist was 1-1 with a 4.98 ERA and one save in 39 relief appearances this season.

Gant wears uniform No. 53.

Brian Walton’s take

On one hand, I did not see this coming, but on the other, we all saw it coming for the last two years as Siegrist tried to cope with decreased velocity and diminished effectiveness. He joins Seth Maness, who suffered a similar fate one year ago and is struggling at Triple-A for Kansas City, and Trevor Rosenthal, out for the next year or so, as the young trio of Cardinals relievers heavily used by manager Mike Matheny in their early years, only to struggle later on.

In three one-inning outings with Palm Beach this past week, Siegrist  allowed one run on three hits, two walks and three strikeouts.

The Cardinals have 10 days to decide Siegrist’s fate, whether trade, release or outright to the minors. The club also has created one opening on the 40-man roster, which will likely be used very soon on another call-up.

Gant, a player I predicted would be called up for the final month, offers reliable long relief innings, and a buffer if first-time starter Jack Flaherty runs into trouble on Friday.

This month in five starts with Memphis, Gant has posted a 2.97 ERA with 34 strikeouts and 10 walks in 30 1/3 innings.

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

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