The St. Louis Cardinals are expected to lean on veteran reliever during Saturday’s doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds, a move that could signal a larger bullpen adjustment moving forward. Because MLB rules allow teams to add an extra player for doubleheaders, the Cardinals selected Fernandez as their 27th man for the day.
According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Fernandez joined the club ahead of the twin bill and is available specifically for the second game. His official roster move was expected to be announced later in the day. Since he is serving as the temporary 27th player, he cannot participate in Game 1, but he will be eligible for the nightcap.
Fernandez’s promotion marks his first appearance in the majors since April 27. While his time with St. Louis this season has been limited, he has delivered encouraging results whenever called upon. Across four appearances in the big leagues, the 27-year-old owns a solid 1.59 ERA over 5 2/3 innings. He has also performed well at Triple-A Memphis, where he has recorded a 3.07 ERA through 13 appearances and 14 2/3 innings pitched.
Given the Cardinals’ ongoing bullpen struggles, Fernandez could have an opportunity to remain with the team beyond the doubleheader. Relief pitching has been one of the biggest concerns for St. Louis this season, and the organization may be searching for more dependable options as it tries to stay competitive.
One pitcher whose struggles have drawn attention is second-year reliever Matt Svanson. After an impressive rookie campaign in which he posted a 1.94 ERA over 39 outings, Svanson has not been able to replicate that success this year. Through 23 appearances this season, he has struggled to a 9.12 ERA across 24 2/3 innings.
Although the Cardinals still believe Svanson can regain his form, his recent performances suggest that a reset in Triple-A could be beneficial. Over his last seven outings, he has allowed six earned runs in seven innings while posting a 7.71 ERA. The mounting inconsistency has made the bullpen even more vulnerable during close games.
That is why Fernandez’s return could be important beyond simply providing an extra arm for a taxing doubleheader. St. Louis needs reliable bullpen help, especially with 18 innings scheduled against Cincinnati on Saturday. Fernandez has shown flashes of effectiveness in limited major league action and has remained steady in Memphis, giving the Cardinals reason to believe he could contribute at a higher level.
The rainout that forced the doubleheader may ultimately work in the Cardinals’ favor. If Fernandez performs well in his opportunity, the club could decide to keep him on the major league roster for an extended stretch. With the bullpen continuing to search for answers, the veteran reliever may be getting his best chance yet to establish himself as a permanent option in St. Louis.
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