The Cardinals announced they have designated left-hander Anthony Misiewicz for assignment. The move opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for prospect Jordan Walker, whose previously-reported selection is now official. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on the moves prior to the official announcement.
Misiewicz, 28, has only been a Cardinal for a few weeks. The club sent cash considerations to the Royals in February in order to acquire the southpaw, after the latter club designated him for assignment to make room on their roster for Zack Greinke. He’s made 119 appearances over the past three seasons with the Royals and Mariners, posting a 4.43 ERA with a 23.9% strikeout rate, 7% walk rate and 38.6% ground ball rate.
The lefty had a solid enough spring, allowing two earned runs in seven innings, striking out eight batters against one walk. However, the Cards have a number of left-handed options for their bullpen and have recently optioned Misiewicz, Génesis Cabrera and JoJo Romero, leaving Zack Thompson and Packy Naughton on the Opening Day roster. Though the club liked Misiewicz enough to give up some cash to get him just a few weeks ago, it seems Walker’s ascension forced them to make a tough choice and cut the lefty from the roster.
They will now have one week to work out a trade or try to pass Misiewicz through waivers. Given that left-handed pitching it always in demand, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him garner interest from some other club in the league.