ST. LOUIS, MO., March 11, 2022 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have agreed to terms with free-agent right-handed pitcher Drew VerHagen on a two-year (2022-23) contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The 31-year old VerHagen, who was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 4th round in 2012 out of Vanderbilt University, pitched the past two seasons with Nippon Ham Fighters of the Japan Pacific League, going a combined 13-14 with a 3.49 ERA in 39 games (208.2 IP). He logged 96.0 innings in 20 games for Nippon in 2021, striking out 100 batters while going 5-8 with a 3.84 ERA.

“We have been following Drew for the past two seasons in Japan while playing for the Nippon Ham Fighters,” said Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. “We believe he will compete for a starting job, but could easily transition to the bullpen if needed. We are excited to have Drew join our organization.”

VerHagen, a 6-6, 230-pound righty, posted a 10-10 career mark in parts of six seasons (2014-19) with Detroit, appearing in 127 games (8 starts), including a single-season high of 41 games in 2018.  He debuted with the Tigers in July of 2014 at the age of 23.

In his most recent season in the majors in 2019, VerHagen went 4-3 in 22 games with the Tigers and he struck out a career-high 11 on August 23 against Minnesota.