The St. Louis Cardinals made another roster adjustment Wednesday as they searched for answers during a frustrating series against the Los Angeles Angels. After dropping the first two games of the three-game set, the Cardinals entered the finale hoping to avoid a sweep, but first made a significant move involving a veteran pitcher who had only recently joined the major league roster.
The club announced that right-handed pitcher Scott Blewett had been designated for assignment, clearing space for the return of another arm as St. Louis continued to shuffle its pitching staff in an effort to remain competitive during the second half of the season.
The decision came just days after Blewett was promoted to the major league club, making his stay on the Cardinals’ active roster an extremely brief one.
Cardinals Looking to Salvage Series Against Angels
St. Louis entered Wednesday’s matchup facing a difficult challenge after losing the opening two games of the series against Los Angeles.
The Angels edged the Cardinals 3-2 in the opener before following that performance with a convincing 5-1 victory in Game 2. Those losses put St. Louis in danger of being swept at home, adding extra urgency to the series finale.
With every game becoming increasingly important in the National League playoff race, the Cardinals have been forced to evaluate every aspect of their roster, particularly the pitching staff. Injuries, workload management and inconsistent performances have prompted frequent transactions throughout the season, and Wednesday’s move was another example of the front office attempting to maximize roster flexibility.
Scott Blewett Designated for Assignment
Prior to first pitch on Wednesday, the Cardinals officially designated Scott Blewett for assignment.
The transaction was first reported by Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, who posted on X that the Cardinals had designated Blewett while recalling right-handed pitcher Hunter Dobbins. The move also reduced the Cardinals’ 40-man roster from 40 players to 39.
Being designated for assignment begins a seven-day period during which a player can be traded, released or claimed off waivers by another organization. If Blewett clears waivers, the Cardinals could attempt to outright him back to the minor leagues, provided roster rules allow it.
Although DFA decisions can often seem harsh, they are common throughout the season as teams juggle roster needs and seek immediate upgrades.
Brief Cardinals Tenure Comes to an End
Blewett’s time in St. Louis lasted only a matter of days.
The Cardinals originally signed the veteran right-hander to a minor league contract during the offseason, giving him an opportunity to compete for organizational depth. Throughout the first half of the year, he continued working within the Cardinals’ farm system while waiting for an opportunity at the major league level.
That opportunity finally arrived last Friday when St. Louis selected his contract and added him to the active roster.
Unfortunately for Blewett, the opportunity proved to be short-lived.
Just five days later, he found himself removed from the 40-man roster after making only one appearance for the Cardinals.
Strong Performance Wasn’t Enough
Despite the brief stay, Blewett actually performed well during his lone outing.
The right-hander pitched two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while issuing two walks. He also struck out two batters and prevented any runs from crossing the plate.
From a statistical standpoint, there was little to criticize.
He demonstrated solid command at times, missed bats when needed and helped preserve the bullpen during his appearance. However, roster decisions are rarely based solely on a single outing.
Teams must consider option status, bullpen balance, upcoming pitching schedules and the health of other players when determining which pitcher best fits the roster.
In Blewett’s case, the Cardinals evidently determined another arm better suited their immediate needs.
Hunter Dobbins Returns
The corresponding move brought Hunter Dobbins back to the major league roster.
While the Cardinals did not publicly frame the decision as a reflection of Blewett’s performance, Dobbins provides another option for the pitching staff as St. Louis attempts to navigate a demanding stretch of games.
Pitching depth has become increasingly valuable across Major League Baseball, particularly during the summer months when injuries and heavy workloads begin to accumulate.
Managers frequently rely on fresh arms capable of covering multiple innings, and front offices often cycle pitchers between Triple-A and the major leagues to keep bullpens rested.
Wednesday’s move appears to fit within that broader strategy.
Blewett’s Professional Journey
Blewett’s path to the major leagues has been anything but straightforward.
Originally drafted by the Kansas City Royals, the Missouri native spent years working through the minor league system before eventually reaching the majors.
Over the course of his professional career, he has spent time with multiple organizations while consistently trying to earn opportunities at baseball’s highest level.
Like many pitchers who move between organizations, Blewett has had to prove himself repeatedly through minor league performances and short major league opportunities.
His willingness to continue competing has earned him chances with several clubs despite the challenges that come with being a depth pitcher.
Although this latest opportunity ended quickly, his recent scoreless outing could attract interest from another organization seeking experienced bullpen help.
Cardinals Continue Evaluating Pitching Staff
The Cardinals have spent much of the season making adjustments to their pitching staff.
Whether dealing with injuries, inconsistent production or the demands of a long 162-game schedule, St. Louis has regularly turned to its organizational depth to keep the bullpen fresh.
Designating Blewett for assignment reflects the difficult decisions clubs must make throughout the season.
Players who perform adequately can still lose roster spots simply because another pitcher has minor league options remaining, offers a different skill set or better fits upcoming matchups.
The business side of baseball often forces teams to prioritize roster flexibility over recent individual performances.
What Happens Next?
Now that Blewett has been designated for assignment, several outcomes remain possible.
The Cardinals could trade him if another club expresses interest during the DFA period. Another organization could also submit a waiver claim and immediately add him to its own roster.
If neither of those scenarios occurs, Blewett could potentially remain in the Cardinals organization if he clears waivers and accepts an outright assignment, depending on his contractual rights and eligibility.
Given his solid showing in limited action and previous major league experience, there is a reasonable chance another club could view him as valuable pitching depth.
Cardinals Focused on Bigger Picture
For St. Louis, the immediate focus remains ending the series on a positive note.
After consecutive losses to the Angels, avoiding a sweep became the priority entering Wednesday’s game. Every victory carries additional importance as the National League playoff race tightens, leaving little room for extended losing streaks.
Manager Oliver Marmol and the Cardinals coaching staff continue searching for the right combination of players capable of producing consistently over the final months of the season.
Roster moves like Wednesday’s are part of that ongoing process.
While Blewett’s departure may seem surprising given his effective performance, the Cardinals clearly believe the change gives them the best chance to compete moving forward.
Whether Hunter Dobbins provides the boost the pitching staff needs remains to be seen, but the organization is hoping the latest adjustment helps stabilize the roster as it continues chasing postseason contention.
For Scott Blewett, the designation represents another unexpected turn in a career defined by perseverance. Although his stint with the Cardinals lasted only one appearance, his scoreless outing demonstrated that he remains capable of contributing at the major league level. With pitching depth always in demand across baseball, another opportunity may not be far away.
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