photo: Cade Winquest (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
On Monday, April 13, the St. Louis Cardinals announced four pitching related transactions.
- LHR Jared Shuster was designated for assignment.
- RHR Ryan Fernandez recalled to St. Louis from Memphis.
- 2025 Rule 5 selection RHP Cade Winquest returned to the Cardinals from the Yankees.
- RHS Richard Fitts placed on Memphis’ 7-day injured list due to a right lat strain.
Shuster, 27, joined the organization as a minor league free agent in December. After opening 2026 in long relief for Memphis, he was added to the 40-man roster one week ago and promoted to St. Louis. In two relief appearances for the Cardinals, Shuster posted a 4.91 ERA, allowing two runs in 3 2/3 innings on two hits, two walks and one strikeout.
Unless he is claimed by another organization in the next week, Shuster can claim free agency or elect to return to Memphis without a 40-man spot.
With these moves, the Cardinals get a fresh relief arm. While the 27-year-old Fernandez struggled with St. Louis in 2025 and this spring, he has been very good in the early going with Memphis. In six Triple-A relief outings covering 5 1/3 innings, Fernandez did not allow a run on three hits (.154 batting average against), two walks and six strikeouts.
Winquest returns to the organization at a good time, with relief an ongoing need. The 25-year-old Rule 5 pick made the Yankees out of spring training but was not called upon to pitch before being designated for assignment last week. Winquest went unclaimed by the other organizations so was offered back to the Cardinals. If he pitches well, we could see him with St. Louis this season.
Fitts, 26, was acquired from the Red Sox in the Sonny Gray trade. Though the right-hander did not make the St. Louis roster in spring camp, he has pitched very well with Memphis. Through three starts, Fitts has a 1.76 ERA.
The timing of his injury is especially poor for Fitts as several St. Louis starting pitchers are not doing particularly well in the early going. Lat strains often mean an extended period out, but no official timing specifics have yet been provided.
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