photo: Adam Kloffenstein (Memphis Redbirds)
At Friday evening’s deadline, the St. Louis Cardinals non-tendered pitcher Adam Kloffenstein, making him a free agent, and tendered 2025 contracts to their other 40-man roster players.
Kloffenstein, 24, was acquired by the Cardinals from Toronto with Sem Robberse for Jordan Hicks on July 30, 2023. The right-hander was placed on the 40-man one year ago this month to be protected from the Rule 5 draft.
The native of Texas was first called up to St. Louis on June 20 and made his MLB debut with a scoreless inning against the Giants. Kloffenstein was returned to Triple-A the next day.
During the entire month of July, he only threw once for Memphis. After not pitching from July 1-9, Kloffenstein had a short three-inning start on the 10th, during which he allowed four runs. In the two-plus weeks after, he did not appear in game action.
On July 25, Kloffenstein was moved to the seven-day injured list at Memphis and did not pitch the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury.
For the 2024 season with the Redbirds, Kloffenstein had a 4.74 ERA in 17 starts. He struck out 73 and walked 41 in 89 1/3 innings.
The 6-foot-5, 243-pounder is the second pitcher acquired at the 2023 trade deadline to be removed from the 40-man this week, joining Drew Rom, who had come from the Orioles. However, Rom, who was outrighted, remains with the organization while Kloffenstein is now a free agent.
Even if healthy in the spring of 2025, Kloffenstein would have been among seven starting pitching candidates with Memphis, not including potential promotions from Springfield such as Tink Hence and Tekoah Roby.
St. Louis’ 40-man roster is now at 38 players, creating room for two free agent signings, trade acquisitions or selections in the December 11 Rule 5 Draft.
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