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The St. Louis Cardinals officially promoted Hunter Dobbins to join the major league roster for the final game of their three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels, hoping the young right-hander can help stop a difficult stretch. St. Louis entered Wednesday searching for answers after losing four consecutive games, and the organization decided a pitching change was necessary to create a new opportunity.
Cardinals move on from Scott Blewett after brief MLB return
According to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, the Cardinals designated Scott Blewett for assignment to open a roster spot for Dobbins. The move reduced St. Louis’ 40-man roster to 39 players and officially ended Blewett’s latest stint with the organization.
The past few weeks have been a complicated journey for Blewett. The veteran right-hander exercised an opt-out clause in his contract on July 15 after spending time in the Cardinals’ system. When a player uses that option, the organization typically has a short window to decide whether to promote him, trade him, or allow him to leave.
St. Louis initially selected Blewett’s contract and promoted him to the major league roster after left-handed reliever JoJo Romero landed on the 15-day injured list because of appendicitis. The decision gave Blewett another opportunity to contribute at the highest level after spending most of the season in Triple-A.
Blewett made his Cardinals debut on Tuesday against the Angels and delivered a strong performance. The 6-foot-6 right-hander pitched two scoreless innings, allowing only one hit, walking two batters, and striking out two. Despite the solid outing, the Cardinals chose to make the roster adjustment immediately afterward.
Hunter Dobbins receives opportunity as Cardinals seek momentum
Now that Blewett has been designated for assignment, every MLB team has the opportunity to claim him. If no club places a claim, St. Louis can send him back to Triple-A, although the veteran pitcher would have the option to reject the assignment and become a free agent if he chooses.
For the Cardinals, keeping Blewett in the organization could provide valuable pitching depth. Experienced Triple-A arms are important throughout a long MLB season, especially for teams dealing with injuries and inconsistent bullpen performances. A pitcher with major league experience can quickly become a valuable emergency option.
Blewett has appeared in 44 major league games across five seasons with the Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, and Cardinals. While his career has included multiple organizations, his experience and durability make him a useful depth piece for any team needing bullpen help.
The Cardinals will now shift their attention toward Dobbins and whether the young pitcher can provide a spark during a challenging period. With St. Louis looking to end its losing streak and stabilize its season, the promotion represents another opportunity for the organization to find answers from within its pitching system.
