Cardinals Sign Veteran Lefty Wade LeBlanc

CARDINALS SIGN VETERAN LEFTY LeBLANC; ELLEDGE OPTIONED TO MEMPHIS (AAA); MOROFF TO 60-DAY I.L.

ATLANTA, GA., June 17, 2021 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have signed veteran left-handed pitcher Wade LeBlanc to a free-agent contract, and that he will join the team for its series-opening game tonight in Atlanta.

To make room for LeBlanc on the team’s 25-player active roster, right-handed pitcher Seth Elledge was optioned to Memphis (AAA) following yesterday’s game. Infielder Max Moroff (left shoulder) has been transferred to the 60-day Injured List allowing for LeBlanc’s addition to the team’s 40-player Major League roster.

LeBlanc, 36, is a veteran of 13 seasons in the majors in a career that began in 2008 with San Diego. The 6-2, 195-pound LeBlanc (pronounced luh-BLAHNK) has appeared in 246 career games (121 starts) with San Diego (2008-11), Miami (2012-13), Houston (2013), L.A. Angels (2014), New York Yankees (2014), Seattle (2016 & 2018-19), Pittsburgh (2016-17) and Baltimore (2020-21).

LeBlanc was most recently pitching for Round Rock, the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, where he was 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA in three starts covering 18.0 innings pitched. He worked 7.0 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts in his final start for the Express on June 11. His 2021 season has also included four starts (1-1, 3.78 ERA) with Nashville (AAA) and six games, including one start, with the Baltimore Orioles.

LeBlanc owns a 46-48 career mark in the majors with a 4.59 ERA. He is 34-41, 4.73 ERA in 121 career starts and 12-7 with a 4.23 ERA in 125 relief appearances with three saves.

The Lake Charles, LA. native made a career-high 50 appearances out of the bullpen for the Pirates in 2017 and followed that up with a 9-5 mark and 3.72 ERA in 2018 for Seattle, working primarily as a starter (27 games started).

LeBlanc has been assigned uniform no. 49.

— STL —

My Take: It’s a depth move. LeBlanc was pitching well at Triple A and gives the Cardinals options as a lefty in the bullpen or a spot starter, since our rotation can’t stay healthy. I also think it could be a precursor to Johan Oviedo moving out of the bullpen since it appears he’s not quite ready.