The St. Louis Cardinals made several notable roster moves across their minor league system on Sunday, highlighted by the release of a pitcher who had spent his entire professional career with the organization. While the departure marked the end of a six-year run. The club also announced multiple promotions and assignments, including an encouraging update on one of its top pitching prospects.
Among the day’s transactions, St. Louis reinstated left-hander Jared Shuster from the Development List, promoted right-hander Nolan Sparks to Double-A Springfield, assigned newly acquired right-hander Trey Pooser to Peoria, and advanced top prospect Brandon Clarke’s minor league rehab assignment to Class-A Palm Beach. The organization also confirmed the unconditional release of 24-year-old right-handed pitcher Edwin Núñez.
“LHP Jared Shuster (AAA) has been reinstated from the Development List,” the Cardinals announced. “RHP Nolan Sparks has been transferred from Peoria (A+) to Springfield (AA). RHP Trey Pooser has been assigned to Peoria. LHP Brandon Clarke’s (AA) rehab assignment has been transferred from the FCL to Palm Beach (A). RHP Edwin Núñez (AA) has been given his unconditional release.”
Cardinals Make Multiple Minor League Moves
Núñez’s release closes the book on a lengthy tenure within the Cardinals’ organization. After beginning his professional career in 2021 with Class-A Palm Beach, the hard-throwing right-hander spent the next several seasons moving through the system, pitching for the FCL Cardinals before eventually reaching Double-A Springfield.
Despite flashing impressive velocity, Núñez was never able to climb beyond Double-A. He posted a 10.17 ERA over 24 appearances with Springfield this season before the Cardinals decided to part ways.
His strongest campaign came in 2023, when he recorded a 3.39 ERA across 41 appearances split between Class-A and High-A. However, he was unable to build on that success, finishing each of the following seasons with an ERA of at least 7.68.
Núñez’s electric fastball, which frequently touched the upper 90s and approached 100 mph, always made him an intriguing arm. But persistent command issues prevented him from taking the next step. This season, he issued 25 walks in just 23 innings, after walking 53 hitters over 45 2/3 innings in 2025.
While Núñez’s departure was one of Sunday’s biggest headlines, the most encouraging development may have been Brandon Clarke’s continued rehab progression. The Cardinals’ No. 7 prospect has appeared twice this season, reaching an eye-popping 103.1 mph with his fastball during his second outing before landing on the injured list.
Another player worth monitoring is Trey Pooser, who recently joined the organization as the player to be named later in the Chris Roycroft trade completed on July 17. Before arriving in St. Louis, Pooser compiled a solid 3.44 ERA across 16 appearances between Class-A and High-A, giving the Cardinals another intriguing pitching arm to watch in the lower levels of the farm system