photo: Adam Kloffenstein (Memphis Redbirds)
St. Louis Cardinals release
The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Friday, March 8) that the team has reduced its Spring Training roster to 56 players, optioning right-handed pitcher Adam Kloffenstein to the Memphis (AAA) roster and re-assigning non-roster pitcher Cooper Hjerpe to minor league camp.
The team currently has 39 Major League roster players and 17 non-roster invitees remaining in its Major League camp.
Brian Walton’s take
As noted, Memphis starter Kloffenstein is the first 40-man player from the full roster to be optioned out this spring. In four innings over two appearances, the right-hander allowed two runs on four hits, two walks and two strikeouts.
In his only spring outing, Hjerpe tossed two hitless, scoreless innings with two walks and four strikeouts. The 22-year-old lefty, who pitched at High-A Peoria last season, was one of the least experienced players in St. Louis’ camp and is the 11th NRI to be sent down so far this spring.
On The Cardinal Nation’s Top Prospect List for 2024, Hjerpe is ranked no. 7 and Kloffenstein is no. 17. Once the season opens, Hjerpe may be in the Springfield rotation, though he could return to the Chiefs for a period as he was limited to eight starts in 2023 due to injury. Kloffenstein will rejoin Memphis, the club he joined after the July 30 Jordan Hicks trade with Toronto.
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.
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