Injuries & Moves: Cards recall Leahy from Triple-A
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July 28: Cardinals designate RHP Giovanny Gallegos for assignment, recall RHP Kyle Leahy from Triple-A Memphis
In a move designed to potentially create financial flexibility, the Cardinals designated Gallegos, 32, for assignment on Sunday morning. The club made the decision to DFA Gallegos on Saturday night, and informed the veteran reliever of the decision on Sunday morning, a source said.
Gallegos, who came to the Cardinals in 2018 via a trade with the Yankees, is making almost $6 million this season and has a $500,000 buyout for a 2025 club option that could have paid him $6.5 million.
If another team claims Gallegos -- who struck out four batters in 1 2/3 innings of work on Saturday night -- they will assume the money owed to the reliever. The Cards are hoping to use that potential financial savings to put toward the addition of another player prior to Tuesday’s 5 p.m. CT Trade Deadline, a source said.
Leahy is 1-1 with a 3.90 ERA in 32 1/3 innings pitched over 19 outings with the Cardinals this season.
July 27: RHP Tink Hence returns to Double-A Springfield rotation
Making his first start since June 23 because of nagging shoulder/chest tightness, Hence threw 24 pitches and allowed just one hit while striking out four batters among the five outs he recorded in a scoreless outing for Double-A Springfield. The Cardinals’ No. 1-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline, went into the outing on a pitch count after leaving starts on June 5 and June 23 with tightness in his shoulder.
Hence, 21, entered Saturday night at 4-2 with a 3.29 ERA over 12 starts. In 56 1/3 innings this season, he has struck out 77 batters.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
60-DAY INJURED LIST
LHP Steven Matz (lower back strain)
Expected return: Mid-to-late August
Matz, who hasn’t pitched for the Cardinals since April 30 because of lingering back pain, will begin a Minor League rehab assignment on August 1 when he pitches for Triple-A Memphis, manager Oliver Marmol said.
Matz will pitch two innings and throw approximately 40 pitches with Memphis, Marmol said. Matz simulated two innings of work in the Cardinals bullpen on July 27, and he came out of that throwing session with no lingering pain in his back, clearing the way for the next step in his hopeful return to the Redbirds.
Matz opened the season in the Cardinals rotation and made six starts, going 1-2 with a 6.18 ERA. In his last game with the Cards, he went 3 1/3 innings, surrendering four runs on seven hits and two walks in a Cardinals' loss to the Tigers. Since then, he’s made three Minor League starts only to be shut down when pain returned to his lower back. (Last updated: July 28)
CF/SS Tommy Edman (right wrist surgery, sprained ankle)
Expected return: Early August
Edman, whose Minor League rehab stint was recently interrupted by lingering pain with his sprained right ankle, was expected to be off July 26 before returning to the Double-A Springfield lineup as a DH on July 27, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said on July 26.
There is no timetable on when Edman -- a 2021 Gold Glove winner and a two-time Gold Glove finalist as a utility player -- will play in the field for the first time, Marmol said.
Edman, who has yet to play for the Cards this season after having surgery on his right wrist in October, has had his rehabilitation shut down repeatedly because of lingering pain in his wrist and an ankle he sprained when he awkwardly stepped on a base during infield practice.
In six games this season with Springfield, Edman is 6-for-20 (.300) with a double, four RBIs, five strikeouts and four walks. (Last updated: July 26)
RHP Riley O'Brien (right forearm flexor strain)
Expected return: Early August
O’Brien, who hasn’t pitched for the Cardinals since Opening Day, took another step toward a return to the big league club on July 26 with a scoreless inning of relief in Triple-A Memphis’ 5-3 loss to Columbus.
O’Brien, 29, struck out one and didn’t allow a hit or walk in a scoreless inning of work. He has not allowed a run over two innings of work with Memphis since returning to the mound. O’Brien, who pitched 2 1/3 total MLB innings with the Reds and Mariners previously, made the Cardinals' Opening Day roster after pitching well throughout Spring Training. His rehab from the forearm injury was paused before when pain lingered in May and June.
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said on July 26 that O’Brien’s velocity topped out at 97 mph in recent days, giving the team hope that he was close to a return. Marmol said the club would need to see O’Brien pitch on consecutive days before he would be under consideration for an MLB promotion. O’Brien pitched a scoreless inning and struck out Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani on Opening Day before experiencing pain in his right forearm. (Last updated: July 26)
RHP Keynan Middleton (right forearm flexor surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Middleton underwent season-ending flexor repair surgery on his right forearm on June 11, per manager Oliver Marmol.
“In order for him to have any shot of being ready for 2025, it’s the best option, so his season will be over,” Marmol said.
After spending several weeks rehabilitating and strengthening his forearm, Middleton recently made five appearances and compiled a 2.25 ERA for Double-A Springfield. However, pain returned in the forearm following relief appearances on May 22-23. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 22. (Last updated: June 22)
LHP Drew Rom (left shoulder surgery)
Expected return: September
Rom, who was acquired last July in a trade with the Orioles, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder that might allow him to return later this season, manager Oliver Marmol said. Marmol dubbed the procedure as “a best-case scenario,” and is hopeful Rom can return in the fall.
Rom, 24, made three starts in Spring Training before being put on the injured list with shoulder trouble. He was later moved to the 60-day IL.
After being acquired in the trade centered around Jack Flaherty, Rom made his MLB debut in 2023 with the Cardinals. In eight starts, Rom was 1-4 with an 8.06 ERA. His first MLB win was over the Orioles in Baltimore. (Last updated: May 9)