photo: James Naile (Jeff Curry/USA TODAY Sports)
September 1 marks the day when Major League Baseball teams are allowed to increase the number of active players on their roster from 26 to 28.
Accordingly, on Thursday, the St. Louis Cardinals announced the return of right-handed reliever James Naile and the 40-man addition of outfielder Ben DeLuzio. The two hail from Cape Girardeau and St. Louis, respectively.
Naile posted a 1.17 ERA in nine August appearances (15 1/3 innings) for Memphis with 16 strikeouts and only three walks. More details of his August performance can be read in The Cardinal Nation’s Pitcher of the Month article.
The rookie Naile, a ground ball specialist, has been effective with St. Louis this season with six shutout innings on two hits with no walks and four strikeouts. He was last optioned to Memphis on July 30.
The Cardinals signed Naile, 29, to a minor league contract on November 17, 2021. He had been originally drafted by Oakland in the 20th round in 2015.
DeLuzio, 28, will make his MLB debut with his first appearance. The outfielder, who was primarily a center fielder with Memphis, will be the first minor league Rule 5 selection by the Cardinals to make his MLB debut with the club since John Brebbia in May 2017.
Since May 24, DeLuzio is slashing .300/.372/.440/.812 with 23 extra-base hits and 23 stolen bases. However, he has struggled most recently. In August his slash line was just .220/.246/.271/.513. Even his speed slumped as he was just 1-for-4 in stolen base attempts last month.
DeLuzio uses the Cardinals’ last open 40-man roster spot, which was created when the club designated for assignment (and later released) T.J. McFarland on August 10.
Another 40-man spot will be needed very soon for Jack Flaherty, tentatively scheduled to start for St. Louis on Monday vs. Washington. Candidates to be removed from the roster may include Conner Capel and Kramer Robertson.
For more
To see all players in the system by level and position plus every transaction all year ‘round, check out the always free Roster Matrix here at The Cardinal Nation, refreshed today. The Matrix also includes which 2022 draftees have signed and their team assignments when disclosed.
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