The St. Louis Cardinals have quietly parted ways with right-handed pitcher Jawilme Ramírez, making the minor-league move during their three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. According to the Cardinals’ organizational transaction tracker, the Peoria Chiefs released Ramírez on Aug. 10, removing him from the organization without much fanfare.
Ramírez, 24, had been pitching for Peoria, the Cardinals’ High-A affiliate. He was born in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic, and has spent six seasons in professional baseball. The Cardinals acquired him from the New York Mets organization through the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft in December 2024.
Struggled during 2026 season
The right-hander’s 2026 campaign did not produce the same results he showed the previous year. Ramírez recorded a 5.50 ERA over 36 innings, although he did strike out 41 batters during that span. His 2025 season had been considerably stronger, when he posted a 3.02 ERA across more than 59 innings.
The decline in production appears to have contributed to the Cardinals’ decision to move on from him as the organization continues to evaluate its minor-league pitching depth.
Despite the difficult 2026 season, Ramírez has demonstrated some effectiveness over his professional career. Across 376 minor-league innings, he owns a 3.54 career ERA, 330 strikeouts and a 1.245 WHIP.
Ramirez previously reached Triple-A
Before joining the Cardinals, Ramírez spent several years in the Mets’ system. He reached Triple-A Syracuse in 2024, although his stay at that level was extremely brief. He pitched one inning and did not allow a run.
The Cardinals subsequently added him through the Rule 5 Draft, giving him another opportunity to climb toward the major leagues. He was included on Peoria’s 2026 Opening Day roster as one of the club’s right-handed pitching options.
However, he never reached the major-league level with St. Louis.
What happens next?
Because the Cardinals released him rather than simply moving him to another minor-league affiliate, Ramírez is now a free agent and can sign with another MLB organization.
His career statistics could make him an intriguing low-risk option for another club looking for minor-league pitching depth. Although his 5.50 ERA in 2026 is concerning, his previous 3.02 ERA and strong strikeout history suggest there could still be something for another organization to work with.
For the Cardinals, the move represents another relatively quiet adjustment to the organization’s pitching pipeline. St. Louis is continuing to evaluate its minor-league arms, and Ramírez’s departure opens another spot for younger pitchers to receive opportunities within the system.
In short, Ramírez’s release is not a major-league roster shakeup, but it is a notable organizational decision involving a pitcher who once showed enough promise to reach Triple-A and had posted solid numbers as recently as 2025.
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