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As the deadline for clubs to set their 40-man rosters passed, the free-agent market opened, leading to a wave of transactions across Major League Baseball on Monday, including several by the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Cardinals re-signed left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming to a minor league contract, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Goold noted that Fleming, a Webster University alum, will provide depth for the rotation. The 30-year-old from Bridgeton appeared in the majors with Toronto last season and made six starts for Triple-A Memphis after joining the Cardinals.
In addition to the Fleming signing, St. Louis announced that Ryne Stanek's mutual option was declined, Max Rajcic was reinstated from the 60-day injured list, and right-hander Chase Hampton was designated for assignment, subsequently claimed by the Baltimore Orioles.
Key Analysis
Fleming, 30, logged a 6.37 ERA in 29 2/3 innings over six starts with Triple-A Memphis in 2026. His season was a rollercoaster: he pitched in 13 games (12 starts) in the Toronto Blue Jays' organization with a 3.08 ERA, made one major league appearance for Toronto, and also had five outings in the Chicago Cubs' system with a 3.44 ERA.
Rajcic made his big league debut in 2026, posting a 5.00 ERA in six relief appearances (nine innings) before being placed on the 60-day injured list with an elbow issue that required UCL reconstruction surgery. The Cardinals had to activate him or move on as part of the roster compliance deadline.
Stanek's $6 million option was declined, a decision that aligns with the team's rebuilding direction given his 2026 performance. Hampton, who spent the 2026 season in the New York Yankees' organization with an 8.18 ERA in 17 appearances, was claimed by the Cardinals in late September but never pitched for St. Louis before being designated for assignment and claimed by Baltimore.