Just before opening the second half of the season against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the St. Louis Cardinals were forced to make an unexpected change to their pitching staff.
The club placed veteran left-handed reliever on the injured list with appendicitis, creating an immediate vacancy in the bullpen. To fill that spot, the Cardinals selected the contract of right-hander Scott Blewett from Triple-A Memphis. In a corresponding roster move, catcher Yohel Pozo was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the club’s 40-man roster.
The series of transactions could have implications that extend well beyond Friday’s game, affecting both the Cardinals’ bullpen structure and the organization’s approach ahead of the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline.
Romero’s Injury Leaves Cardinals Thin in Left-Handed Relief
Although St. Louis has endured its share of ups and downs on the mound in recent seasons, the organization has been remarkably fortunate when it comes to keeping its pitching staff healthy. Romero’s trip to the injured list represents just the third injury to a pitcher on the Cardinals’ 40-man roster since Spring Training, excluding Hunter Dobbins, who was already recovering from a torn ACL before being acquired from the Boston Red Sox.
Fortunately for Romero, the injury isn’t related to his arm or shoulder. Instead, he is dealing with inflammation of the appendix, though the timeline for his return remains uncertain.
Recovery from appendicitis can vary considerably depending on whether surgery is required and how quickly a player heals. Since the Cardinals backdated Romero’s injured list stint to July 14, he would be eligible to return as early as next Friday, though a longer absence remains possible.
A Key Bullpen Piece Heads to the Shelf
Since arriving in St. Louis from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2022 trade that sent Edmundo Sosa the other way, Romero has developed into one of the Cardinals’ most dependable late-inning relievers.
The left-hander has posted a 3.35 ERA in 2026, a slight step back from the outstanding 2.07 ERA he recorded last season. While opponents have made more hard contact this year, Romero has improved both his strikeout and walk rates while continuing to generate ground balls at an impressive clip.
His absence leaves manager Oliver Marmol with only one left-handed reliever in the major league bullpen—Justin Bruihl.
Bruihl struggled early in the season but has quietly become one of the bullpen’s most reliable arms over the past two months. Since May 25, the 29-year-old owns a sparkling 1.88 ERA across 24 innings over his last 17 appearances, lowering his season ERA to 3.66.
With Romero unavailable, Bruihl is expected to assume a much larger workload and could see significantly more high-leverage opportunities as the Cardinals’ lone southpaw out of the bullpen.
Trade Deadline Outlook Could Shift
Romero’s injury also introduces another layer of uncertainty as the trade deadline approaches.
The veteran reliever is scheduled to become a free agent after the season, making him a logical trade candidate if St. Louis ultimately decides to sell before Aug. 3. However, his current health status could complicate that scenario.
If Romero is still sidelined when the deadline arrives, interested clubs may be reluctant to part with valuable prospects for a player whose availability remains uncertain.
That said, experienced left-handed relievers are always among the most sought-after commodities at the deadline. If Romero returns quickly and proves healthy, he could still command meaningful interest from contenders searching for bullpen reinforcements.
His absence could also influence the Cardinals’ decision-making. Should the club struggle without one of its top setup men, the front office may be more inclined to embrace a seller’s role if its postseason hopes continue to fade.
Other relievers—including first-time All-Star Riley O’Brien and veteran Ryne Stanek—could also emerge as attractive trade candidates if St. Louis chooses to move veteran bullpen pieces.
Blewett Earns Opportunity
With Romero unavailable, Scott Blewett now receives his long-awaited opportunity to contribute at the major league level.
The 30-year-old right-hander spent most of the season with Triple-A Memphis, where he posted a 5.13 ERA over 48⅔ innings. While those numbers don’t immediately stand out, his strikeout ability certainly does.
Blewett fanned 63 hitters while issuing only 19 walks, demonstrating the swing-and-miss stuff that convinced the Cardinals to bring him to the active roster.
At 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds, Blewett is expected to begin in a long-relief role, giving Marmol another option capable of covering multiple innings when needed.
His promotion also gives him the opportunity to make his first major league appearance in a Cardinals uniform.
Pozo’s Time Appears to Be Over
The corresponding move involving Yohel Pozo was less surprising.
The veteran catcher had been optioned back to Triple-A Memphis in late May and found himself squeezed out by the organization’s growing collection of young catching talent.
With top prospects Jimmy Crooks and Leo Bernal already occupying spots on the 40-man roster, Pozo’s path back to St. Louis had become increasingly difficult.
Although he provided several memorable moments during his stint with the Cardinals over the past year and a half, the organization ultimately needed roster flexibility more than additional catching depth.
Should he clear waivers, Pozo could still return to the organization if both sides remain interested.
For now, however, the spotlight shifts to Blewett and a Cardinals bullpen that suddenly finds itself navigating life without one of its most trusted late-inning relievers while the trade deadline rapidly approaches.