photo: Jordan Hicks (Jeff Curry/Imagn)
St. Louis Cardinals press release
The St. Louis Cardinals have activated RHP Jordan Hicks from the 15-day Injured List and recalled LHP Matthew Liberatore from Memphis (AAA). Right-handed pitcher Dakota Hudson and left-handed relief pitcher JoJo Romero were optioned to the Memphis roster.
Hicks, 26, last pitched on September 14 vs. Milwaukee and missed 18 games with right arm fatigue. The hard-throwing reliever made 34 appearances including eight starts which all came before July 12, and posted a 3-6 record with a 4.92 ERA, striking out 63 batters over 60.1 innings pitched with one save. The Cardinals were 14-2 in games Hicks appeared since August 1.
Liberatore, 22, made six starts and eight total appearances in St. Louis this season with a 2-1 record and 5.46 ERA over 29.2 innings. He made his Major League debut at PNC Park on May 21 earlier this season. The No. 1 pitching prospect in the Cardinals organization by Baseball America was 7-9 with a 5.17 ERA over 22 starts in Memphis, logging 115 innings pitched.
Hudson, 28, was 8-7 with a 4.45 ERA in 26 starts in his first full season since returning from Tommy John surgery.
Romero, 26, made 17 relief appearances between Philadelphia and St. Louis this season posting a 4.96 ERA over 16.1 innings without recording a decision. The southpaw was acquired at the trade deadline from the Phillies for infielder Edmundo Sosa.
Neither Hudson (n)or Romero will be eligible to return to the Cardinals postseason roster for 15 days unless they serve as a replacement for a new injury to a member of the active postseason roster.
Hicks and Liberatore will be active for this afternoon’s regular season finale at Pittsburgh.
Brian Walton’s take
Neither player leaving the roster is surprising giving their recent performances. Liberatore is back to start Wednesday’s regular season finale but holding onto his roster spot beyond that is in question.
However, it is of note that with Romero sent down, the left side of the pen is weaker. Steven Matz and Zack Thompson are the remaining left-handed relievers if Liberatore does not remain with St. Louis.
The Cardinals need to assess the amount of rust on Hicks’ right arm, to guide them in how important the situations he is allowed to pitch. With the minor league seasons over, there are no minors games in which to ramp up.
One should also remember that the Cardinals will need to drop from the current 28 active players to 26 on Friday. In my assessment, one pitcher and one hitter are vulnerable. Liberatore and either Alec Burleson or Juan Yepez are among the prime candidates to be cut, though any unforeseen circumstances in Wednesday’s game could re-write the script.
Another alternative in the first round would be to go with just 12 pitchers, quite possible since just three starters will be needed. In that case, two pitchers would be shed and the position players remain as-is. Jake Woodford’s spot may be at risk in this case.
The Wild Card round roster does not need to be finalized until Friday.
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