The St. Louis Cardinals have had to remain flexible with their roster so far this season and, as with most teams, that has included frequent changes in the bullpen.
The Cardinals’ ongoing relief corps adjustments have helped the team maintain a middling 4.26 ERA so far this season. But the team has had to get pretty creative with a former Atlanta Braves star prospect to keep him in the organization.
St. Louis Cardinals Cut Atlanta Braves’ Former First-Round Pick From Roster 3 Times
Joining the Cardinals as his third organization in four big-league seasons so far, former Braves No.1 prospect Jared Shuster was recently designated for assignment for the third time this season.
Shuster was drafted in the first round by the Braves in 2020 then made his big-league debut three years later, making 11 starts with a 5.81 ERA. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox for the next season and has gradually migrated to an exclusive relief role.
On Friday, the Cardinals outrighted him to the Memphis Redbirds, where he has an 8.87 ERA in a little more than 27 total innings so far this season, according to the official transaction log.
The move marks another frustrating turn for Shuster, who has been caught in a recurring cycle since signing with St. Louis before the season.
“Shuster, 27, signed a minor league deal with the Cards in the offseason,” Darragh McDonald wrote for MLB Trade Rumors. “Three times this year, he has been added to the big league roster. Since he is out of options, after a few appearances, each stint has ended with him being designated for assignment. He cleared waivers the first two times.”
Because Shuster no longer has minor league options, the Cardinals have had to expose him to waivers each time they needed to open a roster spot.
Former Atlanta Braves Phenom Now Fighting For Another Opportunity
Shuster’s professional journey has taken several unexpected turns since the Atlanta Braves selected him in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft.
After starring at Wake Forest University and joining the Braves, Shuster was widely expected to seize a starter’s role in Atlanta. Instead, he is now looking to extend his career as a reliever with some notable upside that might just be taking longer than expected to manifest.
For now, Shuster remains with the Cardinals organization after another outright assignment to Triple-A Memphis. Whether he receives a fourth promotion later this season remains to be seen, but his repeated returns to the major league roster suggest St. Louis still values his left-handed depth even as it continues juggling a crowded pitching staff.