Kyle

McClellan

McClellan admitted to being fatigued after he escaped a bases-loaded jam in Monday’s outing. The right-hander has really struggled down the stretch, posting a 7.71 ERA in September while allowing five home runs in his last 11 2/3 innings. He’s given up at least one earned run in three of his last four appearances. McClellan, in effect, will be replaced by Jake Westbrook, who will be moved to the bullpen and used as a long reliever.

McClellan is dealing with arm fatigue, which is perhaps an explanation why he posted a 7.71 ERA and 6/6 K/BB ratio over 11 2/3 innings this month. We should learn the full composition of the roster soon, but Jake Westbrook is expected to pitch out of the bullpen.

Westbrook was on the NLDS roster as a long man out of the bullpen, but did not appear in a game. Former Cardinal and current 101 ESPN Radio analyst Chris Duncan indicated that Westbrook is dealing with a broken toe, but the Cards have not confirmed that report. Either way, he’ll be replaced by a reliever, as two of Kyle McClellan, Lance Lynn and Eduardo Sanchez are expected to take the spots of Westbrook and Skip Schumaker (oblique).

McClellan was left off the NLDS roster due to a “dead arm,” but he’s been throwing bullpen sessions and evidently feels well enough that the Cardinals think he can contribute. Lynn has been out since early August with a strained oblique but has been throwing pain-free for a couple weeks. Though he could be rusty, Lynn could also be a factor in the bullpen, having posted a 2.22 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 32/8 K/BB ratio over 24 1/3 innings out of the bullpen for the Cards.

McClellan, who was left off the NLDS roster, allowed one run on two hits over one-third of an inning in his only appearance during the NLCS against the Brewers. It’s not clear who will replace him on the roster for the World Series, but Jake Westbrook sounds like a natural candidate.

Although Cardinals skipper Tony La Russa hasn’t announced his official World Series roster, the public is already aware of the organization’s moves because players are letting the media know what they have been told. In short: Westbrook and Skip Schumaker are in and Kyle McClellan and Adron Chambers are out. Westbrook was on the NLDS roster but has not yet appeared in a postseason game. He gives St. Louis a long-relief option out of the bullpen. Westbrook posted a 4.66 ERA over 33 starts this season and is 5-1 with a 4.76 ERA in 10 career starts against Texas.

“When you have a younger ‘pen, you don’t want to confuse the issue,” said Matheny. “When you have guys who are still trying to find their role ... right now we have everybody exactly where we want to be.” Lynn, McClellan and Boggs all have previous experience as starters, but if Matheny sticks with his current plan (and the Cards don’t sign Roy Oswalt), a late injury to one of their starters could push 27-year-old Brandon Dickson into the rotation.

That was back when the Cardinals were trying to clear payroll room for free agent Roy Oswalt. But no swap was ever finalized, and it’s doubtful St. Louis will want to give up potential rotation depth now with Chris Carpenter (bulging disc) still ailing. McClellan, 27, posted a 4.19 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 141 2/3 innings last season. It’s not clear whether discussions are still active.

The deal is worth $2.5 million with incentives based on games started. McClellan, 27, posted a 4.19 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 141 2/3 innings last year, serving as both a starter and reliever. He’s expected to work in long relief in 2012.

This jives with a Sunday report by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the Cardinals are aggressively shopping right-hander Kyle McClellan. McClellan agreed to a $2.5 million contract earlier this month after posting a 4.19 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 141 2/3 innings last year. The 27-year-old can function as either a starter or reliever. In Baltimore, he’d likely take a rotation spot.