The St. Louis Cardinals entered the 2026 season expecting to take a step back during a rebuilding year, but the club has instead remained firmly in the race for the top spot in the National League Central. Even after suffering a difficult loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night, St. Louis still sits only 1½ games out of first place, keeping the team firmly in contention as the season progresses.
While the Cardinals have exceeded expectations in many areas, their bullpen continues to be a major concern. Relief pitching has been inconsistent throughout the year, and the struggles became even more noticeable following Wednesday’s defeat. The bullpen currently owns a 4.53 ERA, ranking as the third-highest mark in the National League. If the Cardinals hope to remain competitive in the division race, strengthening that unit may soon become a priority.
One possible solution could involve a familiar face. Recently, the Minnesota Twins parted ways with two relievers, including former Cardinals pitcher John Brebbia. Because of his history in St. Louis and the team’s current bullpen needs, a reunion between the two sides appears to make a great deal of sense.
Brebbia originally made his major league debut with the Cardinals in 2017 and quickly developed into one of the club’s most dependable relief pitchers. During his first three seasons in St. Louis, the right-hander posted an impressive 3.14 ERA and often handled important innings out of the bullpen. His ability to provide steady relief made him a valuable part of the pitching staff and earned him strong support from Cardinals fans.
After leaving St. Louis, Brebbia spent time with several organizations, including the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers. Although he later joined the Twins organization, he never appeared in a major league game for Minnesota before being released.
A return to St. Louis could offer Brebbia an opportunity for a fresh start while also providing the Cardinals with much-needed bullpen depth. The team has been searching for stability late in games, and adding an experienced reliever with familiarity inside the organization could be beneficial. Even if Brebbia does not immediately return to his previous form, he may still represent an improvement over some of the current bullpen options.
One player who has struggled this season is reliever Matt Svanson, and Brebbia could potentially provide a more reliable alternative in middle-relief situations. The Cardinals may also view him as a valuable depth piece who could help preserve the bullpen during a long season.
Beyond his performance on the field, Brebbia was also respected during his previous stint with the Cardinals for his clubhouse presence and positive relationship with teammates and fans. Although he missed the entire 2020 season before eventually departing the organization, he remained a popular figure in St. Louis.
As the Cardinals continue trying to maintain their surprisingly strong start to the season, the front office will likely explore multiple options to improve the bullpen. Bringing back Brebbia may not solve every issue, but it could provide the team with a dependable veteran arm and additional flexibility moving forward.
With the bullpen continuing to be the club’s biggest weakness in 2026, adding experienced help appears increasingly necessary if the Cardinals want to stay in the playoff race and continue challenging for the division lead.
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