Cardinals Reportedly Promote Hurler Acquired In Jordan Hicks Trade

A St. Louis pitching prospect could make his debut soon

Jul 29, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A general view of Busch Stadium during the second inning of a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports / Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Cardinals rotation has held its own this season despite having to deal with instability in the No. 5 spot due to multiple injuries.

To cope with the absence of Steven Matz and Drew Rom, the Cardinals have utilized Andre Pallante and even tried transitioning reliever Matthew Liberatore to a starting role for a short period of time.

There could be a new solution for the time being, with the latest roster move by St. Louis, which would give a young starter his Major League Baseball debut.

"The (Cardinals) are calling up right-handed pitcher Adam Kloffenstein," The Athletic's Katie Woo reported Wednesday. "He'll join the team in Birmingham on Thursday," Woo continued.

Kloffenstein has posted a 4-4 recod with a 3.97 ERA, 68-to-29 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .213 batting average against and a 1.13 WHIP in 77 innings pitched for Triple-A Memphis in 2024.

The Cardinals acquired the pitching prospect at last summer's trade deadline in a deal that sent flamethrower Jordan Hicks to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Kloffenstein and RHP Sem Robberse.

The 23-year-old might not have the most impressive minor league stats but perhaps St. Louis wants to see what he can do at the next level while they have a vacancy in the rotation.

With Matz working to regain full strength in his rehab assignment, it might not be a bad idea to give Kloffenstein some major league experience.

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