Blake

Parker

Parker was signed to a minor league contract back in late March and went on to post a rough 6.59 ERA across 27 1/3 innings of relief with Triple-A Memphis. The veteran reliever holds a career 3.47 ERA in the major leagues, but he might be nearing the end of the road here at age 37.

There are 34 players left in camp for St. Louis. Libertore tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings Friday in a Grapefruit League relief outing against the Mets. There isn’t a spot for him in the Cardinals’ rotation at the moment, so he’ll head to the minors for some additional seasoning. Parker inked a minor league deal last week and will need some additional time to ramp up before joining the Cardinals’ bullpen this season.

Parker will provide the Cardinals with some additional relief depth entering the 2022 campaign. The 36-year-old veteran righty spent last year in Cleveland, posting a sparkling 3.09 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 37/14 K/BB ratio across 43 2/3 innings (47 appearances). He’s made 350 appearances (three starts) in the majors since 2012.

Parker failed to make the Indians’ Opening Day roster, but gets the call after tossing 11 scoreless innings with a 15/5 K/BB ratio at Triple-A Columbus. The 35-year-old veteran righty spent last season with the Phillies, making 14 appearances (one start) during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.

Parker can earn close to $2.5 million if he makes the Indians’ major league roster and triggers all of the incentives in the non-guaranteed deal. He had guaranteed major league offers, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network, but chose to go to Cleveland where he should have a pretty good shot at claiming a late-inning job. The veteran reliever posted a strong 2.81 ERA and 25/9 K/BB ratio over 16 innings with the Phillies in 2020.

Heyman adds that one of those teams has made Parker a guaranteed major league offer and that there is expected to be a final decision “in the next day or so.” The 35-year-old right-hander had a 2.81 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 25/9 K/BB ratio in 16 innings (14 appearances) with the Phillies during the abbreviated 2020 season.

Parker is one of four relievers that the Phillies placed on waivers to clear room on the 40-man roster. The right-hander pitched well for Philadelphia in his 14 appearances with a 2.81 ERA and 25/9 K/BB ratio in 14 appearances and 16 innings.

Parker posted a 5.04 ERA and 31/6 K/BB ratio over 25 innings during his time with the Phillies last season. Now he’s back to work as part of a bridge to the late innings.

Parker joined the Phillies last July after getting cut loose by the Twins and posted a sharp 31/6 K/BB ratio over 25 innings for Philadelphia, though that came with a 5.04 ERA. The 34-year-old right-hander will try to carve out a spot in the Phils’ bullpen this spring.

Parker began this season as the Twins’ main closer but ended it as a mop-up reliever with the Phillies. He might have to settle for a minor league deal this offseason.