Cardinals Designate Michael McGreevy, assign Lance Lynn to IL, DFA Jacob Bosiokovic

Today: The Cardinals have officially elected Michael McGreevyContract from Triple-A Memphis, the team announced. Making a spot on the 40-man roster, Jacob Bosiokovic selected for assignment. Bosiokovic, 30, had his contract optioned at the end of June, but while he spent four days with the big team, he did not enter a game to make his MLB debut. In 33 appearances this year for Memphis, he has a 3.95 ERA and a 29.4% strikeout rate, although his 14.1% walk rate is cause for concern. Now he will have a week to go through the process. If he clears waivers, the Cardinals will have the option to send him straight back to Triple-A.

In more Cardinals news, the team posted Lance Lynn on the 15-day injured list with right knee inflammation. Lynn pitched well against the Rangers last night, limiting Texas to one run on three hits over five innings. However, he told the media after the game (including Katie Woo) that he had pain in his knee. Woo noted that he walked with a “noticeable limp.” John Denton of MLB.com suggests that Lynn's injury is “very serious,” and that the veteran fears his right knee could be “severely damaged.” However, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reported last night that Lynn and the Cardinals will “monitor” the injury and “see how he recovers.” While Lynn was out, St. Louis may choose to give McGreevy a few more turns in the rotation. Otherwise, they would retreat Andre Pallante's to go to the barn.

By placing Lynn on the IL, the Cardinals made room for McGreevy on the active roster. St. Louis also remembered the right hand key Ryan Loutos from Triple-A and designated righty reliever Chris Roycroft.

July 30: The Cardinals plan to promote athleticism Michael McGreevy to start Wednesday's game against the Rangers (via Katie Woo of The Athletic). It will be MLB's first for the right-hander. St. Louis will need to make consistent moves to make room for a rookie on the 26- and 40-man rosters.

McGreevy, who turned 24 earlier this month, was the Cardinals' first-round pick in the 2021 draft. His stock has dropped significantly since being drafted 18th overall, but he remains one of the top 30 consensus prospects in the Cardinals' system. Keith Law of The Athletic remains very high on McGreevy entering the 2024 season, ranking him No. 8 in the organization. Law noted his durability and suggested, “He could be a No. 4 starter if he could get lefties out.” Unfortunately for McGreevy, he continued to struggle against opponents in his second season in Triple-A. While he held righties to a .628 OPS in 207 trips to the plate, left-handed hitters burned him with an .839 OPS in 261 plate appearances. Therefore, his total numbers were lacking. In 20 starts, he has a 4.45 ERA and 4.31 FIP, only a slight improvement from his 4.49 ERA and 4.52 FIP in 24 starts at Triple-A last season. Still, the Cardinals decided he was ready to move on to higher education, at least temporarily.

McGreevy's debut may be just the beginning. Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat explains that the Cardinals are looking to get the first five shutouts during 16 games in 16 days. Lance Lynn starts in St. Louis tonight, and after McGreevy's turn on Wednesday, the rotation will be as follows: Sonny Grayrecent commercial acquisitions Erick Fedde, Kyle Gibsonagain Miles Mikolas (by Jones). It is not clear how Andre Pallante, who has been in the Cardinals' rotation since the end of May, fits into this equation. According to Lynn Worthy of St. Louis Post-Dispatch, manager Oli Marmol has “yet to sit down” with Pallante to discuss his role moving forward. However, Marmol has confirmed that he plans to return to the five-man exchange later this week (each Worthy). Therefore, Pallante will likely head to the bullpen. While the right-hander will certainly bolster the relief corps, it's worth noting that the Cardinals chose to move McGreevy up to start in the spot rather than give Pallante one last look in the rotation.