As Major League Baseball officially opened free agency at 4 p.m. Thursday, the St. Louis Cardinals made several moves to reshape their 40-man roster ahead of key offseason deadlines for Rule 5 draft protection and contract tenders. Utility player Bryan Torres was added to the 40-man roster following a standout year at Triple-A Memphis, where he recorded a .440 on-base percentage.
Meanwhile, left-hander Zack Thompson was activated from the 60-day injured list but cleared outright waivers, making him a minor league free agent. Fellow lefty Anthony Veneziano also cleared waivers and became a free agent. Right-hander Roddery Muñoz was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds, and outfielder Michael Siani was picked up by the Atlanta Braves. With these moves, the Cardinals’ 40-man roster now stands at 37 players.
Torres, 28, began his career with the Milwaukee Brewers organization in 2015 as a 17-year-old and worked his way up through various minor league systems and independent ball. After a stint with the San Francisco Giants and two seasons with the Milwaukee Milkmen of the American Association, he signed a minor league deal with St. Louis before the 2024 season. He hit .328 with an .834 OPS at Memphis this year, showing defensive versatility by playing all three outfield spots along with second and third base. Despite his small frame—5-foot-7 and 165 pounds—and being a left-handed hitter on a lefty-heavy roster, his consistent production led the Cardinals to protect him from minor league free agency.
Thompson, 28, missed all of 2025 due to a lat injury suffered in spring training that evolved into persistent shoulder problems. The 2019 first-round pick last pitched in 2024, when he opened the season in the rotation before being demoted after struggles in relief and Sonny Gray’s return from injury. His most recent major league appearance came in an outing where he allowed seven runs in 2⅔ innings.
Siani, 26, was the team’s main center fielder in 2024 but hit inconsistently. He appeared in only 19 games in 2025 amid competition from fellow left-handed outfielders Victor Scott II and Nathan Church, who made his debut late in the season. Muñoz, 25, joined the Cardinals from the Marlins last year and split time between St. Louis and Triple-A Memphis, posting a 10.00 ERA in 11 innings across nine relief outings. Veneziano, acquired from Miami after the trade deadline, made two appearances and allowed two runs in four innings.
The Cardinals’ front office still faces key deadlines. Players must be added to the 40-man roster by Nov. 18 to be protected from the Rule 5 draft, a list that includes Leonardo Bernal, Josh Baez, and Cooper Hjerpe. On Nov. 21, teams must decide whether to tender contracts to arbitration- and pre-arbitration-eligible players, such as relievers Jorge Alcala and John King.
While MLB free agency officially began Thursday, it typically progresses slower than in other sports. The Cardinals aren’t expected to pursue top-tier free agents but are targeting at least one starting pitcher and exploring potential trades involving Nolan Arenado and Sonny Gray. More roster changes are expected in the coming weeks.