The St. Louis Cardinals are once again making adjustments to their pitching staff, and their latest roster changes offer insight into their broader strategy for June — as well as hint at some tough choices they’ll soon face.
On Monday afternoon, the team announced that right-handed relievers Riley O’Brien and Chris Roycroft have been called up to reinforce the bullpen. In corresponding moves, right-handers Michael McGreevy and Matt Svanson have been optioned to Triple-A Memphis.
RHPs Riley O'Brien & Chris Roycroft have been recalled from Memphis (AAA).
RHPs Michael McGreevy & Matt Svanson have been optioned to Memphis. pic.twitter.com/WTpfyQNnZd
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 9, 2025
With a demanding stretch of games ahead, the Cardinals are considering a return to a six-man rotation to help ease the workload on their starters.
However, they’re also focused on preventing overuse of the bullpen. These roster changes reveal how the club is attempting to balance both goals — and suggest a pivotal decision looms as July approaches.
The Cardinals shuffling of bullpen arms also points to a difficult Michael McGreevy decision they must make later this month
McGreevy pitched six innings against the Dodgers on Sunday, giving up four runs, and has been outstanding in Memphis all season. The organization clearly sees him as ready for a shot in the big league rotation.
However, with six healthy starters currently on the Major League roster, there just isn’t a spot for him. The team now appears more set on keeping Steven Matz in the bullpen, rather than using him as an occasional starter, but even that doesn’t open up a rotation slot for McGreevy.
Many fans are already aware, but Andre Pallante hasn’t built on his breakout 2024 season. Through 12 starts, he holds a 4.91 ERA, placing him among the bottom ten qualified starters in MLB. He’s no longer effectively limiting hard contact, and right-handed hitters have been taking advantage of him once again.
While there was a lot of support for Pallante earning a rotation role this year—including from myself—his current performance doesn’t justify a permanent place. Especially not when McGreevy, a younger arm, is clearly outperforming him.
The Cardinals are expected to give McGreevy another spot start later this month. When that happens, it should also be a turning point for the coaching staff and front office.
If Pallante continues to decline, what justification remains for keeping him over McGreevy? At this point, it’s McGreevy who deserves to stay, and Pallante who should be heading to Memphis.
Beyond the rotation discussion, the Cardinals need to keep rotating fresh arms into the bullpen during this critical stretch. Riley O’Brien has looked more polished recently in Memphis, and Chris Roycroft continues to refine his sinker at Triple-A.
If either pitcher performs well in the coming weeks, they may stick with the club. If not—or if the bullpen gets overused again—they could be sent back down in favor of new arms.
Expect plenty of movement across the Cardinals’ pitching staff over the next month, driven by both performance and availability.
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