Scott

Blewett

Blewett’s fastball averaged 93.4 mph while he was posting a 5.48 ERA in 44 1/3 innings for the Twins, Orioles and Braves last year. However, he was up to 94.7 mph in his first two outings this spring and 96.5 mph today. Even more impressive, he averaged 89.5 mph with his six sliders, a 5.5-mph gain from last year. He’s quickly becoming someone to watch in a St. Louis pen lacking an experienced closer.

Blewett will compete for a spot in the Cardinals’ season-opening bullpen during spring training after registering a pedestrian 5.48 ERA and 35/18 K/BB ratio across 44 1/3 innings over 26 appearances between the Orioles, Twins and Braves last season.

McKenzie headlines a group of 19 players who elected minor league free agency earlier this week, including catcher Matt Thaiss; infielders Scott Kingery, Keston Hiura, Sergio Alcántara, Terrin Vavra and Vimael Machín; outfielders Jose Siri, Connor Joe and Jordyn Adams; and relievers Noah Davis, Scott Blewett, Brooks Kriske, Kevin Herget, Cionel Pérez, Darren McCaughan, Richard Lovelady, José Ruiz and Jordan Weems.

Blewett has accepted the assignment, though he’ll still become a minor league free agent at season’s end. The 29-year-old had a 5.48 ERA in 44 1/3 innings for the Twins, Braves and Orioles this season.

Blewett will now hit the waiver wire, and more than likely will hit free agency. The 29-year-old has been out of action since the middle of July with discomfort in his right elbow, and he’ll be looking for a new organization for 2026.

There hasn’t been any real news on Blewett since he went on the IL with elbow discomfort on July 13. He’ll be eligible to return on Sept. 11, but there’s nothing to suggest he’ll be ready then.

No word yet on the severity of the issue, which will determine how much time Blewett misses. The well-traveled 29-year-old has operated in middle relief this season for Baltimore, making 13 appearances.

Povich has been hit hard in two of his last three outings, and has consistently struggled to work deep into games, so he’ll get a break from facing the top of Los Angeles’ order on Sunday afternoon.

Bowman has been jettisoned from Baltimore’s 40-man roster to make room for fellow reliever Scott Blewett, who will join the club’s active roster for Sunday’s series finale against the Athletics. The well-traveled 34-year-old reliever has pitched to a respectable 4.57 ERA across 21 2/3 innings (18 appearances) this season in the majors.

Blewett was designated for assignment by Atlanta on Thursday, and it didn’t take long for a trade to be worked out. The 29-year-old gives Baltimore some middle-relief help, although it can be argued how much he’ll help based on his previous experience.