St. Louis Cardinals right-handed reliever Keynan Middleton (forearm) is headed for further testing on his forearm and could need UCL replacement or repair surgery on his right arm. It would be a tough blow for Middleton and the Cardinals after the free-agent signee was expected to be an integral piece of the team's bullpen this year. Middleton has yet to pitch in 2024 because of persistent pain in his arm. The 30-year-old is set to undergo an MRI exam on Friday, so we should know more then on whether he'll have to miss all of the 2024 season. He signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Cardinals in free agency back in February. If Middleton needs to go under the knife, not only would he miss all of this year, but he probably wouldn't be ready to go for the start of the 2025 season, either.
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Keynan Middleton (forearm) will start his minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday with Double-A Springfield. Middleton has yet to pitch for the Cardinals this year after he was diagnosed with a right-forearm strain in mid-March during spring training. However, the 30-year-old reliever is getting close to making his 2024 debut out of the Cardinals' bullpen if he can get through a rehab assignment without any setbacks. Typically, relievers don't need lengthy rehab assignments, but Middleton's case could be different since he's missed so much time. When healthy, he should occupy a key late-inning setup role for the Cards in front of closer Ryan Helsley, making him appealing in fantasy leagues that count holds.
Keynan Middleton To Start Rehab Assignment Next Week
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Keynan Middleton (forearm) threw off a mound again on Friday at Busch Stadium and will start a minor-league rehab assignment next week, according to manager Oliver Marmol. Middleton will report to either Double-A Springfield or Triple-A Memphis. The 30-year-old reliever is getting close to being able to make his 2024 debut with the Cardinals, and he should return to a key late-inning, high-leverage setup role in front of closer Ryan Helsley. Middleton is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list on May 17, a week from Friday. At the very least, Middleton could be worth a waiver-wire pickup in deep holds leagues after he posted a 3.38 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, two saves and a career-high 64 strikeouts in 50 2/3 relief innings in 2023 with the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees.
Keynan Middleton Getting Close To Rehab Assignment
St. Louis Cardinals right-handed reliever Keynan Middleton (forearm) threw a bullpen session off a mound on Saturday for a second straight day. He said he'll throw twice more in St. Louis next week and then head to Double-A Springfield for a minor-league rehab assignment. Middleton has been pain-free since receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right arm on April 6, and it looks like the 30-year-old is getting close to making his season debut out of the Red Birds' bullpen. He had a 3.38 ERA (4.20 FIP), a 1.24 WHIP, two saves, 23 walks and a career-high 64 strikeouts in 50 2/3 relief innings last year with the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees and figures to hold a late-inning setup role for the Cardinals when he's healthy, making him an option for those in holds leagues.
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Keynan Middleton (forearm) has been on a two days on, one day off throwing program and has been stretched out so far to 110 feet. He's not throwing off a mound yet, though. Meanwhile, Drew Rom (biceps) did some plyometric work but didn't respond well late last week and hasn't made any progress from his injury. Middleton should be cleared to throw off a mound again soon and could then move to a short minor-league rehab assignment after that if all goes well. The 30-year-old hasn't pitched since getting hurt on March 7 during spring training, but when healthy, he could have some fantasy value in leagues that count holds. He'll be one of the team's primary setup men in front of closer Ryan Helsley.
Keynan Middleton To Start The Year On Injured List
St. Louis Cardinals right-handed reliever Keynan Middleton (forearm) has a forearm strain and will be shut down from throwing for at least 10 days. It means that he'll start the 2024 regular season on the injured list. The Cardinals are planning to be without him for at least a couple of weeks into the season in April. The 30-year-old signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the team last month after he pitched for both the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees in 2023, posting a decent 3.38 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, two saves and 64 strikeouts in 50 2/3 relief innings. When healthy, Middleton can be valuable in deep holds leagues as a late-inning setup man for the Cardinals alongside Andrew Kittredge and Giovanny Gallegos in front of closer Ryan Helsley.
Keynan Middleton To Throw Live Batting Practice Session
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Keynan Middleton (illness) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session at camp on Wednesday. Middleton is entering his first year with the Cardinals after signing with them in free agency for one year and $5 million, but he reported to camp late and was also held back last week by a stomach bug. The 30-year-old reliever is feeling better now and will be ready for Opening Day at the end of March. While Middleton probably isn't going to see many save chances, if any at all, he could be useful in fantasy leagues that award points for holds, as he should serve in a key late-inning setup role. The former third-round pick of the Angels in 2013 had a 3.38 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with two saves and a career-high 64 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings for the White Sox and Yankees in 2023.
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Keynan Middleton (illness) is dealing with a stomach bug and won't be in camp with the team on Wednesday, according to president of baseball operations John Mozeliak. Middleton should recover in a day or two and rejoin the rest of the team's pitchers in spring training as they ramp up for the start of the 2024 regular season. The 30-year-old reliever should operate in a middle-relief role this year in his first campaign with the Cardinals, but he's not going to have much fantasy value, if any at all. He spent 2023 with the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees, going 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA (4.20 FIP) and a 1.24 WHIP with two saves, 23 walks and a career-high 64 strikeouts in 50 2/3 relief innings.
Free agent reliever Keynan Middleton has agreed to a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Robert Murray of FanSided. The 30-year-old split 2023 with the White Sox and Yankees, posting a 3.26 xFIP, 11.37 K/9, and 56.5 percent ground ball rate over 51 appearances. On a less positive note, he struggled with walks (4.09 BB/9) and home runs (1.42 HR/9). Nevertheless, Middleton has repeatedly proven himself as a strong bullpen option, which makes him a great fit for the Cardinals. After all, St. Louis has repeatedly emphasized a desire to bolster its bullpen this winter, adding the likes of Middleton and Andrew Kittredge while also being linked to Ryan Brasier.
Ian Hamilton, Keynan Middleton Could Return On Homestand
New York Yankees relief pitcher Ian Hamilton (groin) could be activated from the 15-day injured list during the series against the Pittsburgh Pirates that begins this Friday, while reliever Keynan Middleton (shoulder) is a little behind Hamilton and may not return until next week during the homestand against the Toronto Blue Jays. Hamilton is trying to return from a right-groin strain and may not even need a minor-league rehab appearance before rejoining New York's bullpen. The 28-year-old has a nice 2.24 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, two saves and 64 K's in 52 1/3 innings this year over 35 games (three starts). Middleton is eligible to return from the IL on Sept. 19. The 30-year-old has a 3.08 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, two saves and 64 K's in 49 2/3 relief innings with the Yankees and Chicago White Sox in 2023.