Cards add to bullpen depth with Quezada

The Cardinals on Wednesday acquired right-hander Johan Quezada from the Phillies in exchange for cash, adding a hard-throwing 26-year-old to the 40-man roster who will provide depth and could compete for one of the few remaining bullpen spots.

Quezada made his Major League debut as a Marlin in 2020, conceding three runs over three relief appearances. More notable, though, was that his fastball averaged 97 mph, paired with a slider that sat at 87.2 mph.

In 116 appearances (five starts) across six seasons in his Minor League career, Quezada is 15-8 with 16 saves and a 4.05 ERA, striking out 9.1 batters per nine innings.

The Cardinals’ stout bullpen, a top 10 unit in 2020, returns many of the same faces from last season, headlined by Andrew Miller, Giovanny Gallegos, Alex Reyes and Génesis Cabrera. Quezada could compete for one of the last open spots, but the club also has an open competition for the fifth-starter role that will have a trickle-down impact on the bullpen battle as well.

Quezada, who originally signed as an international free agent in 2012 with the Twins, signed with the Marlins in December 2019. He was claimed off waivers by the Phillies in October and tossed five innings (conceding two runs) this past Dominican Winter League season.

The Cardinals, who traded for Arenado, and re-signed Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright over the past 12 days, now have 38 players on their 40-man roster one week from when pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training.