The St. Louis Cardinals have lost one of their veteran pitching depth options after right-handed reliever Scott Blewett exercised the opt-out clause in his minor league contract, ending his stint with the organization and becoming a free agent as he searches for another opportunity to return to the Major Leagues.
The move comes as the Cardinals prepare for the second half of the 2026 MLB season following an encouraging first half under the direction of president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. Although St. Louis entered the season in the early stages of a roster rebuild, the club has remained competitive thanks to strong performances from several young players and improved organizational depth.
One area the Cardinals emphasized throughout the offseason was pitching, adding experienced arms capable of providing insurance at the Triple-A level. Blewett was among those additions, signing a minor league contract with the organization in hopes of earning another chance in the majors.
However, according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Derrick Goold, the 30-year-old elected to activate the opt-out provision in his contract after spending the first half of the season with Triple-A Memphis.
The clause allows Blewett to leave the organization immediately and test free agency without requiring the Cardinals to make a corresponding roster move, giving him the freedom to pursue opportunities elsewhere if another club is willing to offer him a clearer path back to the big leagues.
Blewett spent the entire first half pitching for the Memphis Redbirds, where he appeared in 37 games, including two starts. He compiled a 4-1 record while posting a 5.18 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP across his appearances.
Although his overall numbers were inconsistent, Blewett demonstrated one of the qualities major league clubs value most in relief pitchers his ability to miss bats. He struck out 63 hitters over 48⅔ innings, showing that his fastball and swing-and-miss arsenal remained effective despite allowing 62 hits during the season.
His strikeout rate and strong velocity, which also drew attention during spring training, suggested there was still upside in his game. Nevertheless, he was unable to earn a promotion to the Cardinals’ major league roster, largely because of the organization’s growing pitching depth and several younger arms moving ahead of him on the depth chart.
Blewett’s professional baseball journey has included multiple stops across both Major League Baseball and international competition.
Originally selected by the Kansas City Royals in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft, he eventually made his major league debut with Kansas City during the 2020 season. After spending time overseas following the 2021 campaign, he returned to affiliated baseball in 2024 with the Minnesota Twins.
His 2025 season saw him move between several organizations, including the Twins, Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles. Across those stints, he posted a 5.46 ERA while continuing to serve primarily as bullpen depth.
Over parts of his major league career, Blewett has appeared in 43 games, compiling a 4-1 record with a respectable 4.21 ERA. While he has yet to establish himself as a permanent fixture in a major league bullpen, his experience and strikeout ability continue to make him an intriguing option for clubs seeking veteran pitching depth.
For the Cardinals, Blewett’s departure is unlikely to significantly impact the major league roster.
St. Louis has built considerable pitching depth throughout the organization over the past year and is well positioned to replace his spot within the Triple-A system. The club has several internal options capable of filling similar roles, while its top pitching prospects continue progressing through the farm system.
Even so, Blewett’s exit represents another reminder of the constant movement that occurs among veteran minor league players seeking major league opportunities. By exercising his opt-out clause, the right-hander has chosen to bet on himself in hopes that another organization with greater bullpen needs will provide him a clearer path back to the majors.
With the trade deadline approaching and pitching becoming increasingly valuable across baseball, Blewett could quickly attract interest from teams looking to bolster their bullpen depth or add experienced arms to their Triple-A roster. His ability to generate strikeouts and previous major league experience may prove enough to earn another opportunity before the 2026 season reaches its final stretch.
Leave a Reply