The Cardinals are selecting the contract of left-hander Jared Shuster, as relayed by Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat. Lefty Nick Raquet was designated for assignment in the corresponding move, while right-hander Chris Roycroft was optioned to the minor leagues.
Shuster, 27, was once a first-round pick by Atlanta back in 2020. He made his big league debut in 2023 to some fanfare, although he ultimately struggled with a lackluster 5.81 ERA and 5.38 FIP in 11 starts for the Braves that year. Shuster was traded to the White Sox as part of the Aaron Bummer deal prior to the 2024 season, and with the White Sox he pitched primarily out of the bullpen. Across two years in Chicago, Shuster posted a 4.96 ERA with a 4.30 FIP in 89 innings split between six starts and 45 relief outings. His numbers were even lackluster at Triple-A, and Shuster eventually found himself designated for assignment and outrighted off the roster. He posted a 6.94 ERA in 35 Triple-A innings last year between the White Sox and Athletics organizations.
Headed into 2026, Shuster signed with the Cardinals on a minor league deal but was unable to secure a spot on the roster during Spring Training after surrendering five runs in five innings of work throughout camp. Shuster has made just one appearance at Triple-A Memphis since then, where he surrendered four runs on five hits (including a home run) in three innings of work. Lackluster as his results have been at all levels in recent times, however, the Cardinals have still opted to turn to him as a short-term innings eater for their bullpen.
Making room for Shuster on the 40-man roster is Raquet, a 30-year-old lefty who made his big league debut for the Cardinals last year. He threw two scoreless innings in the majors but struggled at Triple-A last year, with a 5.19 ERA across 17 1/3 innings of work. While Raquet both posted decent enough numbers during Spring Training and at Triple-A so far this year, that wasn’t enough to hold onto his roster spot. The Cardinals will now have one week to either trade Raquet or attempt to pass him through waivers. If he goes unclaimed by the rest of the league, the former third-round pick by the Nationals can be outrighted to the minors as non-roster depth for St. Louis for the remainder of the 2026 campaign.
As for Roycroft, the righty has cobbled together 58 2/3 innings of work for the Cardinals in an up-and-down relief role over the past three seasons. He’s struggled to a 5.98 ERA in those outings, but as an optionable relief arm who’s still on the right side of 30 he could continue getting chances when the Cardinals bullpen needs an extra arm throughout the year. For now, he’ll head to Triple-A (where he has a career ERA of 3.85) to await his next opportunity in the big leagues.
He can def be a stud hope he does well and sticks with the team he’s gotta have some stuff he’s a first round pick just 6 years ago
Roycroft needed the demotion. Cannot throw strikes. I believe he was signed out of the Independent league. But his replacements numbers are frighting. But the bullpen needs help.
I’m under the notion St Louis and Chicago White Sox are the worst teams from top to bottom in the majors this szn
Seriously? Don’t believe the “experts”. This is definitely not one of the two worst teams. I’d recommend you watch some games first.
They have talent but by no means is any of it established. Easily one of the worst if not the worst staffs in the majors, not to mention the bullpin… what am I missing besides they are playing some fun inspired early season games it won’t be long before the wheels come busting off in 2026 not to deny there is reason for optisim. But realistically they will be one of the worst teams in the majors by years end
Chirping
The Cardinals have some talent and they’re a scrappy team. The White Sox aren’t there yet but as a Guardians fan that sees a lot of them, I actually think they’re on the right track. (For my money, they’re not even the worst team in that division because I’d put the Twins behind them.)
The Rockies are still the worst team in baseball (although I’m glad they’re finally changing their approach), and it’s super early in the season but I’ve watched a few Giants games this year and they’ve looked absolutely terrible in all of them.
He’ll make one appearance and get designated. This Cards bullpen could be historically bad.
I liked Raquet, not sure how or why Shuster is now above him on the depth chart.
The depth chart is super fluid with so many young guys being moved around so much this year. Lots of opportunities for players to step up and with so much inexpensive depth, no reason to have to stick with guys who aren’t working out or aren’t ready.
For sure! He’s probably right there with Packy Naughton now in terms of non-roster lefty options. But Raquet has largely been exceeding expectations since joining the org a few years ago. I’m always rooting for a former Indy ball guy like him and would’ve liked to see him over Shuster or even Bruihl.
Won’t lose Raquet, wouldn’t have lost Roycroft to DFA. The current bullpen is like throwing gasoline on an open flame.
I can see the Giants grabbing him
Are so bad that their attendance will be lucky to hit 20 K in July and by August you’re looking at maybe 12. Those fans will never come back. Nashville is waiting…..
Idiot. They still outdraw half of baseball during this down period. 2nd most WS of all time. They’ll be just fine.
Up until 2 years ago they were averaging 40k a game annually. Last year it was down to 27k. I live in Texas now, but still watch the games on tv and notice the unusually high amount of empty seats
They don’t even show all the empty seats. It’s a terrible look. That entire upper deck is a ghost town, but the politics of the St. Louis Cardinals will never let you see that.. the announcers will tell you it’s a packed house, as you can hear Johnny all the way from the outfield ordering peanuts
Keep living on that second most World Series thing you got going on. 7 of them were in the 30-60s. No one cares.
Stinky cheese you are. You want to cut out 40 years? Talk about cherry picking.
They all count the same. And yes, people who care about the history of the game do care.
Apart from you Slider, apparently
Braves’ legend – First Round pick in 2020
If they can just line up a player named “Simon”.
The Cards would be able to have:
Simon & Shuster !!
Gee dad, you’re embarrassing the kids again
He’s surrendered 5 and 4 runs in successive stints. He needs to surrender 6 and 7 on his way to a straight.
The Cards are treading water. I’m a little disappointed in Nathan Church. He looks really overmatched. I didn’t expect him to be a star or anything, but his minor league track record suggested he could at least give competitive at bats. Even his defense has been a little shaky. Saggese needs to get more comfortable taking walks. He makes plenty of contact, but it’s all weak. Walks would be more productive.
I’m not quite ready to eat my words regarding Jordan Walker. But I’m sitting here fork and spoon in hand. He has played well so far. I hope he keeps it up. I’m certainly not too proud to admit when I’m wrong.
Its 9 games. Means almost nothing.
Saggese and Church are very similar in that their minor league stat lines suggest they have some pop, but it just doesn’t really play in MLB settings.
Walker’s outcomes have been great but his swing is better and his procees is MUCH better. it looks like hes figured things out finally. Fingers crossed. It looks like they told him to stop thinking about all the stuff they told him to do and just play and hope some of it has become muscle memory.