Cardinals Starting Pitcher Jack Flaherty to Make 2022 Debut

photo: Jack Flaherty (Jeff Curry/Imagn)

St. Louis Cardinals announcement

Before tonight’s (Wednesday, June 15) series finale, the Cardinals activated RHP Jack Flaherty from the 60-day injured list, optioned LHP Packy Naughton to Memphis (AAA), designated C Ali Sánchez for assignment, and returned 27th Player LHP Matthew Liberatore to Memphis following last night’s game.

Jack Flaherty

Flaherty, who missed the first 64 games with a right shoulder injury, makes his first MLB start since Sept. 24, 2021 at the Chicago Cubs.

Brian Walton’s take

Sanchez loses his 40-man roster spot as Flaherty reclaims his. With the continued progress shown by The Cardinal Nation’s no. 4-ranked prospect Ivan Herrera, including his MLB debut, Sanchez is no longer needed as St. Louis catching insurance.

Ali Sanchez

The 25-year-old Sanchez was previously designated for assignment by his original organization, the Mets, in February 2021. Before he could reach waivers, the Cardinals acquired him in return for cash considerations.

Options are to trade him, release him, expose him to waivers where he could be claimed by another organization, or he could clear waivers and remain with Memphis. 2022 is Sanchez’ last minor league option year allowed so this is likely to be his last season in the organization, either way.

Matthew Liberatore

Liberatore was up for just one day serving as the 27th man for St. Louis’ Tuesday twin bill. The lefty threw five shutout innings on just three hits and two walks with five strikeouts in Game 1 for his best MLB appearance yet.

Packy Naughton

Naughton collected the final out of Miles Mikolas’ almost-no-hitter in Tuesday’s nightcap. His St. Louis ERA is 5.40 in nine appearances, including three starts.

This is the fifth time this season Naughton has been optioned out to Memphis, though only the third against the new five option maximum per season limit that began on May 2. Physically, he remains with the team as their taxi squad for the Boston trip (the city which he calls home).

For more

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Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com. Follow Brian on Twitter.

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