Seth

Maness

Maness had been slated to play independent ball for the High Point Rockers, but jumped at the opportunity when the Rangers came calling. He’s been assigned to Triple-A Nashville and is slated to debut for them Thursday night. The 30-year-old right-hander sports a 3.21 ERA across 252 lifetime appearances for the Cardinals and Royals.

Maness has struggled since returning from elbow surgery two years ago and will now try to get back on track in independent ball. The 30-year-old made just five appearances at the minor league level in 2018.

Maness has posted an uninspiring 4.32 ERA in 25 innings this season at the Triple-A level, but he throws strikes and should do fine in a middle relief role. The 24-year-old righty had a 2.97 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 112/10 K/BB ratio in 169 2/3 innings (27 starts) last summer between High-A Palm Beach and Double-A Springfield.

Maness will try to provide some reliable depth for the Cardinals’ battered bullpen. The 24-year-old has walked only 18 batters in 247-plus minor league innings.

Mujica has received treatment for a knot in his upper back near his neck. The Cardinals are saying it’s only fatigue, though, with GM John Mozeliak describing Mujica as “100 percent good to go” from a health standpoint. With Trevor Rosenthal having appeared the last two days and the Cards wanting to avoid Michael Wacha on back-to-back day, the club could use Seth Maness in a potential save chance Friday.

The move frees up a 40-man roster spot. Maness had Tommy John surgery last month.

Maness has been bothered by elbow problems all season, and now he can probably be ruled out through the entire 2017 campaign. The right-handed reliever owns a 3.19 ERA in 237 1/3 career major league innings. It’s another big loss for this battered Cardinals club.

This is his second stint on the disabled list this year due to elbow issues. It’s unclear how long he’ll be sidelined. Sam Tuivailala will take his place in the Cardinals’ bullpen.

Maness has allowed one run over five rehab innings. He posted a 6.39 ERA and 1.97 WHIP for the Cards before going down with an elbow injury and it’s possible the team could send him to the minors rather than return him to the big league bullpen.

Maness missed just over a month of action with inflammation in his pitching elbow. He’ll return to a middle relief role.