The St. Louis Cardinals head out for a tough six-game road trip tonight and will be doing so with some added pieces to the roster. The Cardinals will bring back one of their steady offensive players and lengthen their bullpen as they prepare to take on the Mariners and Brewers this week.

They will first welcome back Alec Burleson, who was on the shelf with a wrist issue, and has been one of the team’s most consistent hitters this season. Along with him, pitcher Nick Raquet has been promoted and will be making his major league debut when he makes his first appearance. To make room on the major league and 40-man rosters, the Cardinals have optioned reliever Andre Granillo to Memphis and designated utility man Garrett Hampson for assignment.

Cardinals activate Burleson, promote Raquet, option Granillo, DFA Hampson

The biggest boost is going to come from Burleson, who was putting together his strongest all-around season despite a drop in homer numbers. Through 122 games as an outfielder, first baseman, and designated hitter, Burleson has set career-best numbers in doubles (21), batting average (.289), on base percentage (.337) slugging percentage (.451), OPS (.788), and WRC+ (120) and is on pace to set a high mark in walks while working with a new approach at the plate. The lefty has chased less, leading to his increase in power while not having much of a negative impact on his strikeout rate.

Burleson will slot right back into the starting lineup as he figures to push Nathan Church, Victor Scott II, Lars Nootbaar, and Jordan Walker into a timeshare as Burleson has earned everyday playing time. His return spells the end of Garrett Hampson’s Cardinal tenure without Hampson doing much to be remembered for. St. Louis was the 30-year-old’s third team of the season and the one where he spent most of his time this year. In 35 games as a late-game replacement and spot starter at times, Hampson put up a -23 WRC+ and knocked a total of three hits while striking out 13 times in 31 at-bats. He will likely go unclaimed but his time with the organization is most likely complete.

The pitching move is very interesting as the Memphis Shuttle remains in operation with Andre Granillo was optioned to Triple-A for the fourth time this year. Granillo has had a decent season but was sent down to find a fresh bullpen arm. His numbers in Memphis were more impressive as he went 5-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 53 strikeouts in just 36 innings. He should be a front-runner for a bullpen spot again this season as he works his way into a role next year. Taking his spot in the bullpen is Nick Raquet, who is receiving his first big league promotion at the age of 29. Raquet has been with the Cardinals since spending the 2023 season in independent baseball and has put together a phenomenal season between Springfield and Memphis. In 36 games between both levels, the lefty has a 10-4 record and a 1.68 ERA in 48.1 innings while adding 57 strikeouts against just nine walks. The first time he appears in a game will be his major league debut.

The Cardinals open up their series with Seattle tonight at 8:40pm as Miles Mikolas takes the mound. With 18 games to go and a tough stretch of games incoming, the Cardinals must go on a sustained run if they want to sneak into the playoffs for the first time since 2022.