One night after throwing just four strikes in 14 pitches and walking in two runs in the Cardinals epic implosion in Tuesday night's 10-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, the Cardinals released veteran reliever Miguel Batista.
Replacing Batista on the major league roster is rookie starting pitcher Lance Lynn, who is expected to serve as the team's long reliever in the short term as general manager John Mozeliak tries to figure out a way to solve a bullpen problem that has grown to dangerous proportions.
Batista was the first casualty of what has been an extremely ineffective bullpen from the very first game of the season. Other relievers such as former Ryan Franklin and lefties Brian Tallet and Trevor Miller also seem to be on the hot seat after being relatively ineffective for most of the season.
"It was about improving, period," Mozeliak said regarding the release of Batista. "The game is based on performance. If you don't perform ..."
Bati...
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