After months of frustration and nowhere left to turn, the Cardinals have made the call. Erick Fedde has been DFA’d and Michael McGreevy gets that starting spot every 5th day going forward.
Erick Fedde has been DFA’d
On Wednesday morning, St. Louis designated struggling veteran Erick Fedde for assignment, ending a rocky two-season stretch that never quite clicked the way either side had hoped.
The move came less than 12 hours after Fedde’s latest tough outing — a three-inning, six-run performance against the Rockies in an 8–4 loss. He gave up seven hits, two home runs, and left the Cardinals in an early hole once again. It was the latest in a string of tough starts that had clearly taken a toll.
“The truth is I’ve been awful,” Fedde said after the game, owning up to his struggles. “Confidence, for sure, at an all-time low. I’m trying to be professional, show up every day and give it my best. The team deserves better.”
That kind of honesty is rare — and appreciated. But the numbers were undeniable.
Since his lone bright spot — a complete-game shutout on May 9 — Fedde had gone 0–7 with a 6.38 ERA over his next 12 starts. The Cardinals had given him chances. Time. Runway. But eventually, the team’s slim postseason hopes made the decision for them.
John Mozeliak hinted at this move recently.
Manager Oliver Marmol met with Fedde at the team hotel Wednesday morning. “He understood it,” Marmol said. “He was a pro about it… but unfortunately, it wasn’t translating into games. Thus this opens the door for one of our young guys to contribute moving forward.”
Michael McGreevy gets his Shot
That “young guy” is Michael McGreevy — and his time might finally be here for good.
McGreevy was recalled again earlier this week and turned in one of the best outings of his big-league career Monday night, holding Colorado to two runs (only one earned by McGreevy) over seven strong innings. It was his fourth call-up of the year — but this one feels different. Marmol confirmed the plan is for McGreevy to stick in the rotation moving forward.
“It’s an upgrade, and the timing of it is good,” Marmol said. “Inserting that every fifth day is exciting.”
The 25-year-old former first-round pick has faced some serious tests already this season — matchups against the Dodgers, Cubs, and Coors Field — and handled them all with poise. Now, with a regular turn and a full runway, the Cardinals hope he can settle in and become part of the long-term rotation solution.
As for Fedde, the DFA likely signals the end of his run in St. Louis. Acquired last July in a three-team trade, he showed flashes of value early, but struggled with consistency and fatigue. Unfortunately, he went 5–15 with a 4.69 ERA over parts of two seasons with the Cardinals and is set to hit free agency at season’s end.
It’s a tough break for a guy who wanted it to work — but the move reflects where the Cardinals are headed. With the trade deadline looming and every game now carrying playoff implications, the future can’t wait any longer.
