Eric

Fornataro

Fornataro enjoyed success as a full-time reliever this season, posting a 2.39 ERA and 41/17 K/BB ratio over 67 2/3 innings in Double-A. The 24-year-old right-hander saw an increase in velocity in the ‘pen and also did a good job inducing ground balls.

He signed a minor league deal with Baltimore in April but only stuck for about six weeks. Fornataro posted an ugly 8.10 ERA in 10 appearances for Double-A Bowie before getting axed. The 28-year-old made eight appearances for the Cardinals in 2014 but hasn’t been to the majors since.

The Cards need a fresh bullpen after with the relief corps being taxed in recent days. Fornataro allowed two runs -- one earned -- over two relief frames Saturday in his lone appearance while up with the big club.

Fornataro will function as bullpen depth for the Cardinals until they need a fifth starter Wednesday in Colorado. The 26-year-old righty has a 4.70 ERA in seven appearances this season out of the St. Louis ‘pen.

Fornataro was off to a nice start this year at Memphis, having rattled off five scoreless innings of relief. He will join the St. Louis bullpen on Thursday. His first appearance will be his major league debut.

Fornataro threw 39 pitches over two innings in relief of Tyler Lyons on Monday, so the Cardinals have decided to add some fresh arms for their bullpen. The 26-year-old should get another shot down the road.

The O’s worked Fornataro out on Wednesday and evidently liked what they saw. The 28-year-old held a 5.54 ERA at Triple-A with the Nationals last season.

It sounds like the O’s might be considering signing the 28-year-old right-hander to a minor league contract. Fornataro posted a 4.66 ERA in 9 2/3 innings with the Cardinals in 2014. He spend the entire 2015 season with the Triple-A affiliate of the Nationals.

Fornataro appeared in eight games for the Cardinals this season, posting a 4.66 ERA with three strikeouts over 9 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old put up a 2.57 ERA with 35 strikeouts over 56 frames at Triple-A. He’ll compete for a middle relief role in spring training.

Fornataro lost his 40-man roster spot Monday to Casey Janssen, who was officially signed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with a $7 million mutual option (or $1.5 million buyout) for 2016. Washington claimed Fornataro off waivers from the Cardinals in November. He had a decent showing at Triple-A Memphis in 2014.