The Cardinals announced this evening that they’ve designated right-hander Guillermo Zuniga for assignment. The move makes room for recently-signed right-hander Keynan Middleton on the club’s 40-man roster.
Zuniga, 25, signed with St. Louis on a big league deal last offseason despite the righty never having pitched above the Double-A level to that point in his career after the right-hander became a free agent on the heels of a pair of seasons where he struck out a combined 29.8% of batters faced at the Double-A level. Despite that minimal experience, it didn’t take long for Zuniga to make his big league debut last season. The Cardinals added him to the roster in time for him to make his big league debut on May 2 as he struck out two without allowing a hit or a walk in a scoreless inning of work.
That would be Zuniga’s only big league appearance for quite some time, as he returned to Triple-A shortly after and spent time on the injured list in the minor leagues. Eventually, the club called Zuniga back up to the majors in August though his stay on the big league roster once again proved to be short-lived. The righty allowed a run on two hits while striking out two in the sole appearance of his second stint in the big leagues before being placed on the 15-day injured list with a forearm strain that eventually ended the right-hander’s season.
In between Zuniga’s brief stints in the majors this year, he struggled badly at the Triple-A level with a 7.63 ERA across 29 appearances. While he struck out a respectable 25.3% of batters faced during that time, he struggled badly with his control and allowed a worrisome 13.7% walk rate. In addition to his seemingly wavering command this past season, health is another concern for the righty entering the 2024 campaign. Updates on Zuniga’s strained right forearm have been few and far between since he was transferred to the 60-day IL back in September, so it’s unclear if he’s expected to be ready for Spring Training.
That being said, the right-hander has flashed a plus breaking ball and can touch triple digits with his heater, making him an enticing arm for most any team to add as optionable bullpen depth if healthy. Looking ahead, the Cardinals will have seven days to either trade Zuniga or attempt to pass him through waivers. If they’re successful in passing Zuniga through waivers, he figures to remain in the organization as non-roster depth headed into the 2024 campaign. As for St. Louis, the club’s retooled bullpen figures to feature some combination of Middleton, Andrew Kittredge, Ryan Helsley, Giovanny Gallegos and JoJo Romero covering the late innings.
Should have designated the GM and manager for assignment. This current Cardinals management is a joke. Its even worse than the Mets and thats saying something. The GM and his puppet, what could go wrong
This is absolutely RICH coming from a Mets fan. The Rockies are the only team in the NL run more poorly than the Mets.
Hey now, A’s fans want a word. So might some Angels fans.
Ya, that’s why I said the NL. There’s definitely some poor orgs in the AL too
Keep on rooting for the team that spends $ and always blows it. lol troll you came to the wrong place to look like a total fool. Hey Yadier Molina HR says hi still.
Mo is all over the place. A real guesser
Mo is clueless anymore, but he’s got his Muppet Marmol who is the ultimate yes man
For a team supposedly in search of power arms………..this doesn’t make a ton of sense.
Why? No one is going to pick him up. He’ll quietly move off the 40-man and go back to the Memphis bullpen.
Sorry, Don. I was wrong.
negative FIP!
Pitched well in WBC.
Mozeliak needs to fire Marmol. Then DeWitt needs to fire Mozeliak. And finally DeWitt needs to sell the team.
Stan Kroenke has stated one of his goals is to buy the Cardinals so….be careful what you wish for.
Please tell me that’s a joke.
That is awesome and true! S O. B.
Don’t take advice from those so confident in announcing how ignorant you are. You obviously forget we are spoiled you ignorant sack of crap
Who are you talking to?
Will be sooner rather than later. M O,has given Ollie way too many options. He will rest and try to use analytics using his roster as if it’s a hockey team, making changes to the line every other offensive or defensive adjustment. Allie and Dusty are way too clueless to ever be fully successful.
That would be great, but why would De Witt sell the team, he’s one of the wealthiest owners and fans keep filling the stands.
True, perhaps just finding a competent upgrade to Mozeliak might be enough to restore the Cards back to the top of the division. I wonder if Jeff Luhnow burned all his bridges in Redbird land?? Bring in Luhnow and Joe Maddon or Buck Showalter.
If you have confidence in your pitching development in your organization you pick this guy up.
Crazy and disgusting how fast Albert and Yadier are being covered up and swept under the rug and forgotten about so fast by the powers that be and by the fans in general
Albert is under contract to the Angels. Molina has a position with the team.
Your welcome for the combined 1300+ HR. Anaheim offered Albert the best contract when he was in his absolute prime. Not Alberts fault for taking it.
No one said Albert was wrong. I was simply saying you’re incorrect in saying he’s forgotten. He hasn’t been forgotten in St Louis.
Not Albert’s fault for leaving and coming back to the only place he WON. Arte doesn’t win a lot he wastes $. How’d that Ohtani and Trout combo work
Carpenter is using a roster spot. Don’t give me the clubhouse leadership crap. Hire a leadership coach. They don’t use up a roster spot.
There is a huge difference between leadership at the coaching level and leadership at the player level.
It is endlessly hilarious to me that you have reports of the veterans on the team specifically asking management to give them more veteran leadership and fans complaining about it like they know what the team needs more than the actual guys there. It’s crazy.
There’s a coaching problem when it’s up to the players to lead.
I’m sorry, but this is just in every way, shape, and form completely and utterly wrong. Team leaders are valued in pretty much every single team sport in America, this is just such an obnoxiously bad take.
How much leading does a completely wash up player do?
And it doesn’t matter if that player leader is totally washed and batting .154 by June. The intangibles far outweigh the performance. (I hope that came off as authoritative and dismissive at the same time).
The Cardinals have a small, young and inexperienced coaching staff. That definitely plays a part. Also, the guys who went to management and asked for more veteran leadership should sack up and be that veteran leadership.
I love Goldy and Arenado. But these guys should be able to fill the void. They just don’t want to. They make the most money. They should be take the reins. It’s part of what they’re paid to do.
57 has a legit argument. But I hear what you’re saying Stan.
Seems someone needs to lead you simp in life apparently. Mom and dad still have you on one of those children leashes
A washed up player will have the overall equivalent effect as your English teacher.
How much more veteran leadership was necessary last year to keep the team from underperforming? They had one of the most respected players in Cardinals history in the rotation. If that’s not enough, I don’t see what difference Matt Carpenter is going to make.
If Carpenter is such a great clubhouse leader, then why did Shildt want to get rid of him so quickly? I think there’s friction between those two.
The kneejerk reaction is, “Well, Schildt ended up getting fired anyway way, so even if he was right, he was wrong.” You have to learn pretzel logic here.
I was referring to when Shildt took over as Padres manager. Seems shortly after, Carpenter was on his way to Atlanta.
Bring back Red! Maybe Hub Kittel.
They both declined to comment.
That’s a good young arm to cut loose. Especially to add a guy on a one year deal.
“What’s good my Zuniga?” 🙂
Didn’t Zuniga play the role of Princess Vespa in Spaceballs?
Naw that was Jar-Jar Binks
There’s a chance he’ll clear waivers and stay in the organization. Much like Moises a couple days ago
Not sure why they dfa’d Zuniga they need all the pitching they can get and he seemed like he had plenty of upside! I’d be surprised if someone doesn’t claim him! Also I can think of many other guys to DFA instead of him!
Pirates may claim. He might be another Oviedo for them.
Someone is going to claim him.
I don’t trust the Cardinals talent evaluators anymore after giving away Arozarena, Garcia, Gallen, Alcantra, and even Lane Thomas! (I’m sure I missed some guys) They don’t give these younger guys enough playing time to see what exactly they are.
Another Bonehead Stupid DFA for the club , we need pitching , not position players, I’ll be surprised if Guillermo Zuñiga clears waivers.
Such a big deal. Cards number 10 reliever exposed – scandal.
This move severely hinders Luken Baker and Luken Baker’s playing time.
go back to cards talk you clown
Love seeing hard earned ticket and beer money spent on mediocrity.