Cardinals Recall Jake Walsh; Kodi Whitley Optioned

CARDINALS RECALL ROOKIE RELIEVER JAKE WALSH; KODI WHITLEY OPTIONED TO MEMPHIS (AAA)

ST. LOUIS, MO., May 11, 2022 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced this afternoon that they have recalled rookie right-handed pitcher Jake Walsh from Memphis (AAA), and that right-handed pitcher Kodi Whitley was optioned to Memphis following last night’s game.

Walsh, 26, will be making his Major League debut with his first game appearance.

A former 16^th round (484^th player overall) draft selection by the Cardinals in 2017, Walsh joins a Cardinals roster that currently includes five other rookies, and he is the fifth in that group of six players to have been developed in the Cardinals farm system.

Walsh has been exceptional for Memphis this season, working nine games in relief for the Redbirds and allowing just one earned run in his 11.0 innings pitched for a 0.82 ERA with six saves. The Florida native has fanned 16 and walked five, posting a 1.00 WHIP.

Whitley has appeared in 10 games for the Cardinals this season, going 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA in 8.2 innings of relief.

Walsh has been assigned uniform no. 61.

— STL —

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I was a little surprised this move wasn’t made Saturday night, after Whitley walked 4 straight batters and was responsible for 3 runs against the Giants; he followed it up with another run and walk last night against the Orioles.

Whitley is a solid pitcher, so I expect he’ll be back up once he rights the ship in Memphis.

Walsh was drafted as a starter, but move to relief last season after Tommy John surgery in late 2019. Since he’s moved to the bullpen, he’s shown a fastball that sits mid to high 90s, along with a promising 12 to 6 curve and an average changeup. He’ll probably start out in low leverage situations, but could work his way up the depth chart; his ceiling is probably a good 7th inning guy if that curve lives up to the promise.