Ex-Cardinals Hurler Officially Signs With Rival NL Central Club In Attempt To Revive Career

Cardinals fans may see a familiar face sooner rather than later

One former member of the St. Louis Cardinals is on the move. 

Former Cardinals right-handed hurler Ryan Meisinger officially signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds on Friday afternoon, according to the MLB transaction log. 

Meisinger spent two years in the Cardinals organization. The 29-year-old journeyman was claimed off waivers by St. Louis ahead of the 2019 campaign and spent the season with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. Meisinger compiled a 3.09 ERA in 21 appearances -- including three starts -- and struck out 42 batters across 35 innings pitched. 

The righty joined the Cardinals' big league club during the 2020 60-game campaign and made two appearances. Meisinger did not allow a run across 2 2/3 innings of work for St. Louis and struck out three batters to go along with four walks. 

Meisinger has bounced around throughout his career. He was drafted in the 11th round of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Baltimore Orioles and made his big league debut with the club in 2018. The righty joined the Chicago Cubs as a free agent in 2021 after leaving the Cardinals and made seven appearances at the big league level and compiled a 12.27 ERA. 

The 29-year-old hasn't appeared in the big leagues since 2021. After being designated for assignment by the Cubs, he was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers but spent the end of the 2021 season in the minor leagues. In 2022, Meisinger singed with the Arizona Diamondbacks but never made it to the big leagues. 

There's no way to know if Meisinger will play much of a role with the Reds, but if he's able to make his way back to the big leagues, maybe Cardinals fans will see a familiar face at some point this season.

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