The Cardinals announced that they’ve selected the contract of right-hander Daniel Poncedeleon from Triple-A Memphis. First baseman Luke Voit has been optioned back to Memphis in a corresponding move.
It’ll be the first call to the Majors for Poncedeleon, who persevered through a frightening head injury that necessitated brain surgery after he was struck in the head by a comeback line drive last May (link via MLB.com’s Jen Langosch). The 26-year-old was a ninth-round pick of the Cards back in 2014.
Poncedeleon made just six starts for the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate last season due to that scare, but he’s appeared in a dozen games (11 of them starts) in Memphis this season, pitching to a 2.41 ERA with 10.7 K/9, 5.3 BB/9, 0.3 HR/9 and a 32.4 percent ground-ball rate in 59 2/3 innings. While he’s not considered among the Cardinals’ top couple of tiers of prospects, Poncedeleon received an honorable mention in last year’s rankings from Eric Longenhagen of Fangraphs, drawing praise for an “above-average downhill fastball, deep-breaking curveball and fading changeup.” Longenhagen’s report notes that there’s a chance Poncedeleon ultimately settles into the bullpen.
[Related: Updated St. Louis Cardinals depth chart]
For the Cardinals, Poncedeleon will give them another option both in the rotation and in the bullpen following some injury woes in both regards. St. Louis recently lost Alex Reyes for the season and is uncertain as to when Adam Wainwright will be healthy enough to return, though the team still has a strong rotation mix of Carlos Martinez, Miles Mikolas, Luke Weaver, Michael Wacha and Jack Flaherty. But relievers Matt Bowman, Greg Holland, Tyler Lyons, Luke Gregerson and Dominic Leone are all also on the disabled list, so Poncedeleon replenishes some needed depth for their staff.
Let’s hope he’s their “fountain of youth”!
Oooooh…I see what you did there. Good stuff.
Why don’t they have to make a 40 man move?
There may have already been an open spot on the 40-man roster. Either that or it hasn’t been announced yet.
Might be Reyes or Sherriff to 60 day DL
This is my guess. I don’t believe they had an open spot
Steve Baron was released
They must have had an open spot?
It’s time for The Cards to get serious and make a move for a 3rd baseman and a bullpen arm…. Too bad they can’t find a team that may have both to offer up in a trade because if no one has noticed but this Brewers team is really good and well coached by Counsell. I’m sick of all the Mo bullshit and not spending the money on the right players or making a truly decent trade. The Cards fans are loyal but please don’t take advantage of us.