Cardinals Top Bullpen Addition Suffers Setback Putting Debut In Question

St. Louis will have to wait a little bit to get the hurler back from injury

Mar 2, 2024; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Keynan Middleton (93) / Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

It's unclear when the St. Louis Cardinals' top free-agent bullpen addition will make his debut with the club.

St. Louis made a specific effort to improve the bullpen this past offseason and the club's top addition in free agency certainly was former Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees hurler Keynan Middleton.

Middleton spent the 2023 season with the White Sox and Yankees and shined with a 3.38 ERA and 64-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 51 total appearances. He was most impressive after being traded to New York and had a 1.88 ERA in 12 outings after the trade deadline.

St. Louis signed the righty this past offseason but he hasn't been able to make his 2024 debut yet as he's dealt with a forearm strain. It's unclear exactly when he will return as he suffered a "slight setback" and received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his elbow, according to MLB Trade Rumors' Nick Deeds.

"Looking beyond the outfield, (Oli Marmol) also provided an update on right-hander Keynan Middleton to reporters (including Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat) this afternoon," Deeds said. "As relayed by Jones, Middleton received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right elbow and is expected to resume baseball activities after a 72-hour rest period. The news represents a slight setback for Middleton, who was originally scheduled to begin his throwing program earlier this week."

St. Louis has been solid so far this season but has been heavily impacted by injuries. Right when Middleton is ready to return, the bullpen should receive a lift but it's uncertain exactly when that will be.

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