Photo: Johan Oviedo (Jim Rassol/USA TODAY Sports)
St. Louis Cardinals Press Release
The St. Louis Cardinals announced a series of roster moves prior to this afternoon’s game at Chicago.
The team announced that they have recalled right-handed pitcher Johan Oviedo from Memphis (AAA) and selected the contract of rookie left-handed pitcher Zack Thompson from Memphis.
Pitchers Matthew Liberatore and Kodi Whitley were optioned to Memphis following last night’s game, and Memphis infielder Kramer Robertson has been designated for assignment to make room for Thompson on the 40-player Major League roster.
In addition, outfielder Tyler O’Neill (right shoulder impingement) will begin an injury rehabilitation assignment with Memphis and outfielder Dylan Carlson (left hamstring strain) will begin an injury rehabilitation assignment with Springfield (AA). O’Neill has been out since May 18, missing 14 games, and Carlson has been sidelined since May 22, missing 11 games.
Oviedo, 24, has appeared in 19 games (18 starts) with the Cardinals since debuting in 2020. The 6-5, 260-pound Cuba native was 4-2 with a 5.58 ERA in 10 starts for Memphis this season. Thompson, the Cardinals 1st round draft selection (19th overall) in 2019, will become the 9th Cardinal to debut this season with his first game appearance. The 24-year-old University of Kentucky alum was 2-2 with a 4.67 ERA in his 10 starts for Memphis season.
Oviedo wears uniform no. 59 and Thompson no. 57.
Blake Newberry’s take
With a doubleheader approaching on Saturday, the Cardinals will need innings. Fresh off his start yesterday, Liberatore would have been unable to help the rest of the series, and after struggling mightily in two of his first three starts, he was a relatively easy choice to send to Memphis.
Whitley also didn’t do himself any favors by allowing three runs on four hits and three walks in 2 ⅔ since being recalled from Memphis.
The Cardinals have not yet announced who will start on Saturday. Packy Naughton would be due for a start considering that Saturday would be the fifth day since his last appearance, but he is far from a regular member of the rotation.
Oviedo’s last start for Memphis was on May 28th, so he should be well rested for Saturday, meaning that he could take the ball to open a game. Zack Thompson last pitched on May 31st, so he is probably not a candidate to start.
My guess is that the Cardinals will have Naughton start one game on Saturday and have Oviedo start the other, though one or both of those games could see the starter pulled early in favor of a bullpen approach.
Beyond the approaching innings complication, the Cardinals are simply looking for pitchers who can get outs as Nick Wittgren, Drew VerHagen, Kodi Whitley, and T.J. McFarland have been inconsistent at best.
Really, only Giovanny Gallegos, Ryan Helsley, and Andre Pallante have established themselves as reliable options. Bringing up a pair of fresh arms from Memphis is a chance to alleviate that problem.
Oviedo has not had the strongest season with the Redbirds, tallying a 5.58 ERA and 6.68 FIP, but he was already on the 40-man roster which made him easy to move.
Thompson has been better, though his 4.67 ERA in Triple-A is inflated by a disastrous last start in which he surrendered six runs (three earned) and didn’t escape the first inning.
The former first round pick has a more respectable 3.98 FIP and has bounced back in a big way after struggling with an aggressive Triple-A assignment in 2021. He will likely serve as a lefty out of the bullpen.
This could be a boost for the Cardinals, who have struggled to get production out of their left-handers as T.J. McFarland has a 7.65 ERA and Genesis Cabrera’s strong ERA (2.14) is portended by a 5.38 FIP.
In order to add Thompson to the 40-man roster, someone needed to be removed. Kramer Robertson is the casualty that allows the left-hander to join St. Louis, though Robertson will almost certainly remain in Triple-A if he clears waivers.
Rehab Assignments
Tyler O’Neill has been out of the lineup for over two weeks dealing with a shoulder issue. He may only need a short rehab since he didn’t miss too much time, but that will depend on how he feels when he begins playing in Memphis.
Fellow outfielder Dylan Carlson is also on the path to returning to St. Louis and he will begin his rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield. Like O’Neill, Carlson may not need long since he has only missed around two weeks. Hamstring injuries can linger, though, and Carlson will need to feel comfortable before returning to St. Louis.
Both O’Neill and Carlson have had their fair share of struggles this season, so the injury time and the rehab assignment could be their time to find their swings and return to form. If they don’t, playing time will become harder to earn, considering the increased competition from rookies Juan Yepez and Brendan Donovan.
For more
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