The St. Louis Cardinals wrapped up a nine-game homestand with a 3-6 record, leaving fans hoping for a turnaround. They managed to stand strong against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but series losses to the Kansas City Royals and the Toronto Blue Jays put a damper on the home stretch.
After cruising through May, June hasn’t been in the Cardinals’ favor. With mounting challenges on both sides of the game—pitching and batting—it was clear the team needed some fresh energy. Jordan Walker’s time on the injured list exposed a weak bench, and the relievers clocked a 4.38 ERA for the month, averaging just 6.81 strikeouts per nine innings. A shake-up was definitely on the agenda.
Enter the new recruits: Right-handed pitcher Andre Granillo and outfielder Michael Siani made their way up to the big leagues, replacing RHP Chris Roycroft and outfielder Ryan Vilade, the latter being designated for assignment.
Let’s break down what this means for the Cardinals, starting with the outfield. Ryan Vilade’s batting average of just .077 set off the alarms. Initially brought up to fill the gap left by Walker, Vilade found himself behind player favorites like Nolan Gorman in terms of plate appearances. With his minimal impact, his removal makes a lot of sense.
Taking Vilade’s place, Michael Siani returns to shake things up after shining in Triple-A Memphis. He’s been hitting .263/.348/.451, with five homers, 17 RBIs, and eight stolen bases over 33 games. While he steps into the role of a fourth outfielder, he could find himself starting more often with Brendan Donovan dealing with a toe injury.
Switching gears to the bullpen, it’s been eager for a spark—and Andre Granillo might just be the answer. The young pitcher has been firing on all cylinders in Memphis, boasting a commanding 39.7% strikeout rate and an impressive 1.82 ERA across 29.2 innings. Opponents are hitting a mere .159 against him. This marks Granillo’s big league debut, and while it’s too early to expect him in high-pressure situations, don’t be surprised if he grows into a crucial late-game contributor.
Granillo’s promotion required some roster gymnastics, resulting in Chris Roycroft’s demotion. Roycroft hasn’t been consistent, hopping between Memphis and the majors all season. With a 6.92 ERA and only nine strikeouts in 13 innings, his performance hasn’t hit the mark for a bullpen in need of higher strikeout production.
Looking ahead, the Cardinals are embarking on a seven-game road swing, starting in Milwaukee before hitting a precious Monday off day in June. The four-game series against the division-rival Brewers presents a prime opportunity for this refreshed roster to reignite the spark that’s been missing. With new talent in play, Cardinals fans can keep an eye out for a possible resurgence in the coming days.
