Cardinals' Matt Svanson: Handling opener role Tuesday
Rotowire
Svanson will serve as the Cardinals' opening pitcher for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Brewers, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Svanson will be making his first MLB start and his first at any level in the professional ranks since 2022, but he's unlikely to cover more than an inning or two before exiting the game. Once Svanson's day is done, left-hander Bruce Zimmermann appears likely to work in bulk relief for St. Louis.
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Cardinals' Matt Svanson: Rediscovering 2025 form
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Svanson has yielded just one hit and has a 6:1 K:BB over eight scoreless innings since being recalled from Triple-A Memphis.
Svanson was optioned to Memphis in May after posting an 8.77 ERA and 26:15 K:BB over 25.2 innings. He tossed 5.2 scoreless frames at the Cardinals' top minor-league affiliate and has carried that momentum over in his return to the majors. Svanson has been used mostly in low-leverage situations since being recalled, but with the way he's pitched he could move back up in the bullpen hierarchy.
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Cardinals' Matt Svanson: Getting another look in majors
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The Cardinals recalled Svanson from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.
Svanson was sent down last month after posting a disappointing 8.77 ERA and 26:15 K:BB over 25.2 innings. He seemed to get back on track at Memphis, tossing 5.2 scoreless frames with an 8:1 K:BB. Svanson will likely be used in middle relief.
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Cardinals' Matt Svanson: Bound for Triple-A
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The Cardinals optioned Svanson to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.
Svanson will be moved off the 26-man active roster as the Cardinals make room for their starting pitcher for Sunday's game against the Reds, Brycen Mautz, who was called up from Triple-A. Though he looked like a candidate to earn a high-leverage role in the St. Louis bullpen coming out of spring training, Svanson squandered that opportunity after posting a 8.77 ERA, 1.95 WHIP and 26:15 K:BB across 25.2 innings to begin the season. He'll look to iron out his command issues in the minors.
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Cardinals' Matt Svanson: Rough start to season
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Svanson has been charged with six runs while recording just three outs across his first two appearances of the season.
Svanson pitched the sixth inning with a two-run lead in the opener and the ninth inning with a four-run advantage in Saturday's win over the Rays. In the latter contest, Ryne Stanek had been warming up for a save chance before the Cardinals extended their lead and turned to Svanson. He was pulled mid-inning and charged with three runs in both outings. The usage for the right-hander hasn't been favorable, but he's also been very unlucky, sporting a .625 BABIP despite a 12.5 percent hard-hit rate. Fantasy managers in need of roster room might be forced to cut Svanson, but there's still lots to be sorted out in the St. Louis bullpen.
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Cardinals' Matt Svanson: In mix to close games
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Svanson is expected to be in the mix to close games for the Cardinals this season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Manager Oliver Marmol has indicated that he doesn't plan to name a closer heading into the season but expects the situation to "solve itself." Svanson did not record a save during his excellent rookie season, but he was particularly dominant in the second half with a 1.05 ERA and 44:12 K:BB over 34.1 innings. Riley O'Brien, JoJo Romero and Ryne Stanek are also among the candidates to see save opportunities in St. Louis.
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Cardinals' Matt Svanson: Having dominant second half
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Svanson struck out three over 1.2 scoreless innings to pick up a hold in Sunday's win over the Giants.
Svanson has quietly had a terrific rookie season in the Cardinals' bullpen and has been particularly dominant in the second half, collecting a 0.74 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 30:9 K:BB over 24.1 innings. The 26-year-old is earning more and more high-leverage opportunities, having picked up four holds over his last seven appearances.
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Cardinals' Matt Svanson: Headed back to minors
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The Cardinals optioned Svanson to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.
Svanson has been fairly reliable out of the bullpen for the Cardinals this season, turning in a 3.12 ERA and 0.81 WHIP through 26 innings. However, the Cardinals will prioritize filling their bullpen with a fresh arm heading into the All-Star break, so the 26-year-old will head back to Triple-A in favor of Gordon Graceffo.
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Cardinals' Matt Svanson: Rejoins big-league bullpen
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The Cardinals recalled Svanson from Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Svanson has pitched well during his time with the big club this season, permitting two runs with a 7:3 K:BB across 6.2 frames. He will operate in middle relief out of the St. Louis bullpen.
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Cardinals' Matt Svanson: Summoned from minors
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The Cardinals recalled Svanson from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.
Svanson, 26, allowed one run with a 4:2 K:BB over his first 5.2 innings with Memphis this season. The right-hander is pegged for low-leverage relief and will be making his major-league debut when/if he gets into a game.
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Cardinals' Matt Svanson: Shielded from Rule 5 draft
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The Cardinals added Svanson to the 40-man roster Tuesday.
A 25-year-old righty reliever who has not pitched above Double-A, Svanson logged a 2.69 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 59 strikeouts in 63.2 innings while notching 27 saves for Double-A Springfield. He will likely head to Triple-A Memphis to start the year, but should be an option to provide big-league bullpen depth throughout the summer.
