Cardinals Bring Up Leone, Option Out Fernandez

photo: Dominic Leone (Kelley L. Cox/Imagn)

St. Louis Cardinals press release

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Thursday, August 22) that they recalled right-handed reliever Dominic Leone from Memphis (AAA).  Rookie right-hander Junior Fernandez, who worked 2.0 scoreless innings last night, has been optioned to Memphis.

Leone, 27, will be making his fourth stint with the Cardinals, already appearing in 28 games earlier this season with 35 strikeouts in 29.0 innings pitched.  Leone was optioned to Memphis most recently on July 20, and in 10 games following that option, he’s allowed just one run in 12.1 innings (0.73 ERA) with 23 strikeouts and just two walks.

Dominic Leone

Fernandez, 22, made his Major League debut on August 11, and in five games with the Cardinals, he fanned seven batters in 5.0 innings and allowed two runs.

Junior Fernandez


Brian Walton’s take

Prospect lovers, do not despair. Fernandez will almost certainly be back no later than the end of Memphis’ season, September 2. After he threw 41 pitches in an eventful, but ultimately successful stint Wednesday night, Fernandez would be unavailable to pitch for several days ahead.

This way, the Cardinals get a fresh arm by bringing up Memphis shuttle member Leone, another pitcher who almost assuredly would have been back when rosters expand, anyway.


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