Johan Oviedo Recalled as Cardinals Sixth Starter

photo: Johan Oviedo (Jim Rassol/USA TODAY Sports)

From the St. Louis Cardinals

Before tonight’s game (Wednesday, April 28), the Cardinals recalled right-handed pitcher Johan Oviedo from the Alternate Training Site and optioned outfielder Scott Hurst to the Alternate Training Site.

Oviedo, who has started the second game of three different doubleheaders in his career, becomes the seventh Cardinal to make a start this season, which ties with five teams for most in the NL (Arizona, Atlanta, Miami, Pittsburgh, San Diego).

Johan Oviedo

Oviedo factoids

  • Is making his sixth career start, first of 2021 and first at Busch Stadium. Three of his five career starts have been the second game of seven-inning doubleheaders.
  • Still looking for the Cardinals first win in a game he pitches (STL is 0-6). • Has received zero or one run of support in all five of his career starts.
  • Is the 4th Cuban-born pitcher to start a game for the franchise (9th pitcher to appear) and the 22nd Cuban-born player overall to appear for the Cardinals.
  • His first two career starts and three of his first five starts came in the second game of seven-inning doubleheaders.

Brian Walton’s take

As the Cardinals keep their top five starters on five days rest during a time when the team has no days off for multiple weeks, the need for a sixth starter temporarily emerged.

Manager Mike Shildt recently told the media that Oviedo had been tabbed for this role back to spring training and he was told that when he was assigned to the alternate site rather than making the Opening Day roster.

Oviedo will be making his 2021 debut Wednesday evening.

Scott Hurst

Hurst made five plate appearances over seven games and is still looking for his first Major League hit and walk. The 25-year-old was added to the 40-man roster and called up on April 15 when Lane Thomas was sent down. Hurst made his MLB debut on the 16th.

A by-product of these transactions is that the Cardinals have shifted to 14 pitchers (up one) and 12 position players (down one) currently making up the 26-man active roster.


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To track the status of the Cardinals’ 40-man roster as well as all players in the system by position and level, check out the Roster Matrix, always free and updated here at The Cardinal Nation. Also included is every player transaction across the full organization all year long.


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

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