The Cardinals announced tonight that they have designated a right-handed pitcher. Guillermo Zuniga for a mission.The move creates room for the recently signed right-hander. Keiynan Middleton He is on the club's 40-man roster.
Zuniga, a 25-year-old right-hander, signed a major league contract with St. Louis last offseason, but the right-handed pitcher has never pitched above the Double-A level in his career. After becoming a free agent, he had a season in which he struck out a total of 29.8% of the batters he faced at the Double-A level. Despite his minimal experience, it didn't take long for Zuniga to make his major league debut last season. The Cardinals added him to the roster in time for his major league debut on May 2, after he allowed no hits or walks and struck out two in a scoreless inning.
Zuniga returned to Triple-A soon after, and this would be his only major league appearance for some time, as he had been on injured reserve in the minor leagues. Eventually, the club reinstated Zuniga to the majors in August, but his stay on the major league roster once again proved short-lived. The right-handed pitcher allowed two hits, one run, and two strikeouts in his second major league appearance, but was placed on the 15-day injured list with a torn forearm, ultimately ending his season.
During Zuniga's brief stint in the majors this year, he struggled mightily at the Triple-A level with a 7.63 ERA in 29 games. While he struck out a respectable 25.3% of the batters he faced during this time, he struggled mightily with control and allowed an alarming walk rate of 13.7%. In addition to his command appearing to be shaky last season, the right-hander's health is another concern heading into the 2024 season. There has been little information regarding Zuniga's strained right forearm since he was placed on the 60-day IL in September, so it is unclear whether he will be ready for spring training.
That being said, the right-hander throws a plus breaking ball and can reach triple digits with a heater, making him an attractive arm for most teams to add optional bullpen depth if healthy. . Looking ahead, the Cardinals will have seven days to trade Zuniga or try to get him off waivers. If they are successful in getting Zuniga off waivers, he will remain with the organization as a non-roster player for the 2024 season. As for St. Louis, the club's bullpen figures were modified to feature Middleton's combination. andrew kittredge, ryan helsley, Giovanny Gallegos and jojo romero Covers the second half of the innings.
