WASHINGTON — When he got the call in 2021 that invited him to the All-Star Game at Coors Field, middle reliever Andrew Kittredge did not have the familiar statistical baubles of the handpicked closers that usually fill the Midsummer Classic’s bullpen. Sure he had six wins and 1.47 ERA but he was weeks removed from his most recent hold — his fourth of the season — and collected his most recent save, his second of the summer, two months earlier.
What he had was the faith of the Tampa Bay coaching staff headed to Denver.
“It was something that I never in my life dreamed was possible, so to experience that, to be considered one of the best players in the game that year was just humbling and such a cool honor,†Kittredge said. “It’s something I’ll remember forever. I don’t have expectations to go back.â€
Maybe he should.
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On Sunday evening, the National League and American League rosters for this month’s All-Star Game will be revealed, and the Cardinals, shut out for starters and the runoff vote, have one surefire representative. Closer Ryan Helsley is “a lock,†teammates agreed Friday. Helsley already set a Cardinals’ record with 31 saves in the first half — with a 31-for-31 run and still more than a week to go.
While fans elect the position player starters, pitchers and backups are selected with a peer vote. Ballots were due during the Cardinals’ most recent home stand, right before Helsley won his second NL reliever of the month award this season.
Of the Cardinals’ other candidates for selection, two are from a group of players gaining more attention when it comes to salaries, statistics, and All-Star nods. Kittredge, like former Cardinals’ reliever Pat Neshek, was one of the early middle reliever/setup relievers to receive an All-Star invite. Kittredge did as a replacement pitcher when the Rays’ coaching staff ran the AL squad in 2021. This season, Kittredge and teammate JoJo Romero rank No. 2 and No. 1 in the majors, respectively, in holds, the equivalent of a save outside of the ninth inning. Romero tops MLB with 26, and Kittredge has 24, already more than three times his previous career high. A trio, Kittredge, Romero, and Helsley are the arms holding tight through taut games for the Cardinals’ winning record.
“These are really important innings for a team to have success,†manager Oliver Marmol said Friday. “Look at what JoJo and Kitt have done — it’s pretty darn impressive.â€
Other Cardinals who could get a look from their peers include Sonny Gray and rookie shortstop Masyn Winn. Before allowing five runs in the first three innings Friday night, Gray ranked among the league leaders for starters with 2.98 ERA (7th), nine wins (3rd-tied), 2.5 WAR (7th), 109 strikeouts (7th), and 11.19 strikeouts-per-nine (5th). Winn’s .300 average and .346 on-base percentage rank behind only Mookie Betts and NL starter Trea Turner for shortstops, and his plus-10 Defensive Runs Saved are third-most in the NL for any position. But, at NL shortstop, Cincinnati sensation Elly De La Cruz has a strong claim to any opening after Turner.
Some stats just stand out for All-Stars — like De La Cruz’s 42 steals.
Others take context, like leverage in relief.
“The way teams use their bullpens is so different than they used to,†Kittredge said. “A lot of teams are adapting that a little bit to where even some of their better arms aren’t finishing the game. So, maybe there is a kind of way (for the All-Star Game to adjust). It’s fascinating to think about how it is different.â€
Edman back on deck
After a slight delay due to a twisted ankle, Tommy Edman could start his route back to the majors with an official rehab assignment beginning as early as Tuesday.
Edman participated in a live batting practice session Friday afternoon, and he is scheduled to face teammate Riley O’Brien during a live BP on Saturday in Springfield, Missouri. Right-handed reliever O’Brien (flexor strain) is attempting to also return from a hiccup in his rehab, and if both players recover well Sunday their next appearance will be in a minor-league game. That would make Tuesday the next available game for Edman to start a rehab assignment, likely with Class AA Springfield.
The Cardinals’ switch-hitting Gold Glove Award-winner has not appeared in a game since offseason wrist surgery. Although publicly club officials talked about him being ready for opening day or early in the season, internally the Cardinals had a more conservative estimate for Edman’s return due to the surgery — somewhere around the All-Star break. Earmarked to be the team’s starting center fielder this season, Edman will play multiple positions during his rehab assignment to be ready to return to the super-utility role he’s often had in the majors.
‘23 draft picks sweep Cardinals’ June awards
Less than a year after the Cardinals selected him 21st overall in the draft, outfielder Chase Davis started to hit his stride and won the organization’s player of the month award for June. Davis, 22, slugged .683 for the month with 12 extra-base hits and 23 RBIs while batting .333 and leading all Cardinals’ minor-league everyday players with a 1.147 OPS for the month.
Davis reached base in 18 of his 20 games in the month and surged away from a sluggish start to his first full pro season. At the end of May he was hitting .184 with a .291 slugging percentage.
The Cardinals’ fourth-round selection a year ago, lefty Quinn Mathews won the pitcher of the month award on his way to representing the team in next week’s Futures Game. Mathews, 23, is one of the top performers and swiftest-risers in all the minors with a 2.03 ERA this season and 113 strikeouts, the second-most in all the minors (any level and any club). In June, Mathews went 3-0 with a 2.10 ERA and 37 strikeouts in five starts overall and earned promotion to Class AA.
Roster roundup: Nootbaar, etc.
Lars Nootbaar (oblique strain) continued his rehab assignment Friday night with Class AA Springfield. The Cardinals are going day to day with Nootbaar, responding to how the outfielder feels about his “timing, rhythm,†his manager said and determining how many more games he’ll get at Class AA. He was 2 for 5 on Wednesday for the S-Cards. He could take two off days Sunday and Monday and return to the majors Tuesday, when the Cardinals return to ºüÀêÊÓƵ.
Also:
- Ivan Herrera (back soreness) began his rehab assignment with Class AAA Memphis on Friday in Nashville. Herrera, who injured his back while the team visited Birmingham, Alabama, started at designated hitter.
- After waiting the mandatory minimum number of days, the Cardinals brought right-hander Chris Roycroft back from Class AAA Memphis on Friday. To make room for him in the bullpen and on the active roster, the Cardinals optioned pitcher Jacob Bosiokovic. Bosiokovic did not appear in a game during his first promotion to the majors.