Jess

Todd

Todd, a former relief prospect, posted an underwhelming 4.34 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 66 1/3 innings this year at Triple-A Memphis. He’ll try to latch on with a new club.

Todd posted an underwhelming 4.34 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 66 1/3 innings this year at Triple-A Memphis with the Cardinals. He’ll start 2013 back at Triple-A.

He’s getting a minor league invite. The former relief prospect hasn’t appeared in a major league game since the 2010 season. He will act as organizational relief depth in 2014 for the Diamondbacks.

Todd will be in the Cardinals bullpen this evening against the Reds. He was the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year as a starter in 2008. A corresponding roster move has not yet been announced, although there are health concerns with starters Kyle Lohse and Joel Pineiro. Todd, a 2007 second-round pick, was 3-1 with a 2.96 ERA as Memphis’ closer.

Well that was quick. After throwing 45 pitches in his first major league appearance over an 1 2/3 innings on Friday, Todd was going to be useless to the club for a couple days anyways. Blake Hawksworth will replace him on the roster.

Todd was expected to be the choice. The 23-year-old projects as a major league setup man, and the Indians could bring him up to make his debut next month.

Todd had a 2.88 ERA in 153 innings at three levels last year, but the Cardinals opted to send him to the pen this spring. He responded with a 2.20 ERA and a 59/13 K/BB ratio in 49 innings as the closer at Triple-A Memphis. In Cleveland, he could battle former teammate Chris Perez to become the No. 2 man in the pen and heir to Kerry Wood’s job. He’ll head to Triple-A for now, but he’ll probably be called up next month.

Todd was acquired Sunday as the “player to be named later” in the Mark DeRosa-Chris Perez deal. He had a 2.88 ERA in 153 minor league innings last season and has posted a 2.20 mark with a 59/13 K/BB ratio as the closer for Triple-A Memphis this season. It’s a nice haul for the Tribe.

Cardinals officials believe Todd will be a more effective major leaguer in relief, not as a starter. He will work in a setup role behind Chris Perez at Triple-A Memphis initially, but is likely to make his major league debut at some point this season. He complied a 2.88 ERA and a 136/42 K/BB ratio in 153 innings last season between Single-A and Triple-A.

Todd was acquired last week as the “player to be named later” in the Mark DeRosa-Chris Perez deal. He has a 2.04 ERA and a 66/13 K/BB ratio in 53 minor league innings this season and will pitch in middle relief.