The St. Louis Cardinals are stacking up injuries this season.
St. Louis can't seem to get out of its way injury-wise this season. The Cardinals have been consistently bitten by the injury bug in 2023 and the latest hurler to go down is young lefty Matthew Liberatore. The 23-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday as he deals with lower back tightness and journeyman Jacob Barnes was called up to the big leagues to take his roster spot, according to the club.
"(Right-handed pitcher) Jacob Barnes has been selected from Memphis (AAA)," the Cardinals said on Twitter. "He will wear uniform (No. 61). (Left-handed pitcher) Matthew Liberatore (lower back tightness) has been placed on the 15-day IL, retroactive to August 19. Our 40-player roster now stands at 40."
Barnes is an eight-year big league veteran who signed with the Cardinals in July after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies. The 33-year-old made 11 appearances out of the bullpen with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds and compiled an impressive 1.53 ERA. Barnes has bounced around clubs throughout his big league career and has spent time with the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, and New York Yankees before joining the Cardinals this season at the big league level.
The 33-year-old last appeared at the big league level with the Yankees and Tigers in 2022. Barnes compiled a 5.64 ERA across 23 appearances with the Yankees and Tigers. St. Louis already has turned its focus to the 2024 campaign. If Barnes can impress out of the bullpen, maybe he could earn a spot with the big league club next season.
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