Andre

Granillo

Granillo has pitched well since arriving in the big leagues earlier this month with a sparkling 1.35 ERA across 6 2/3 innings (five appearances). The 25-year-old rookie has been shipped back to the minors to allow St. Louis to bring up a fresher arm ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the Reds.

The Cardinals weren’t willing to use Phil Maton or Ryan Helsley twice today, but they did so with Granillo, allowing him to pick up his first major league victory and save on the very same day. The 25-year-old Granillo was just called up for the first time a week ago. He threw four pitches for the win, getting one out to conclude the seventh inning. He finished the save by setting down Austin Slater with his first career strikeout. He’s yet to allow a run in five innings since being called up.

Granillo will have a chance to make his MLB debut. The right-hander has been excellent with a 46/8 K/BB ratio and 1.82 ERA in Memphis, and it’s feasible that he could work his way into a high-leverage role if he has success in his first state of MLB action.

As we head into the final days of spring training, you’re going to see every club trim down their roster like this. The Cardinals now have just 31 players remaining in big league camp. Saggese’s best chance of making the Opening Day roster was for the Cardinals to trade Nolan Arenado, but as that still hasn’t happened he’ll be ticketed for Triple-A Memphis to start the 2025 campaign.