Cardinals added lefty Justin Bruihl, trading cash and DFA’ing Zak Kent, who was claimed by the Rangers. Bruihl’s left-handed late-inning arm strengthens St. Louis’ matchup profile; punters might favor Cardinals in low-scoring, close games or use him in same-game parlays targeting lefty-on-lefty matchups. Expect increased confidence in Cardinals bullpen props and tighter game totals when Bruihl is deployed.
Cardinals Bolster Bullpen with Justin Bruihl Acquisition
The St. Louis Cardinals completed a trade with the Cleveland Guardians for left-handed reliever Justin Bruihl, sending cash to Cleveland in the deal. Bruihl arrives as a realistic late-inning option for 2026, addressing a clear scarcity of southpaws in the Cardinals’ bullpen. With JoJo Romero linked to trade rumors, Bruihl provides a hedge against losing another lefty and creates a clearer path for match-up driven innings.
What Bruihl Brings
Bruihl projects as a matchup weapon against left-handed hitters and a potential multi-inning option in high-leverage situations. His left-handed presence should improve the Cardinals’ platoon flexibility and could shift late-game management toward more aggressive matchup use.
Zak Kent Designated, Claimed by Rangers
To clear a roster spot, the Cardinals designated 27-year-old right-hander Zak Kent for assignment. Kent never appeared in a game for St. Louis — he was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers. Kent had split 2025 between the majors and Triple-A with the Guardians organization before his short stay in St. Louis.
Kent’s Recent Numbers
In 2025 Kent pitched 12 MLB games with a 4.58 ERA and made 34 Triple-A appearances, posting a 2.84 ERA over 38 innings. St. Louis had claimed Kent in December, but he remained with the organization for roughly a month before the Rangers moved to claim him.
Bullpen Outlook and Team Needs
The Cardinals enter the offseason with questions in relief depth after dealing Ryan Helsley, Steven Matz and Phil Maton at last year’s trade deadline. While Bruihl should be a solid addition, the club still needs arms. Ideally Kent would have been outrighted to Triple-A as depth, but his waiver claim means St. Louis must look to free agency or additional trades to round out the pen.
Front-Office Priorities
Expect the Cardinals to pursue veteran relief options with multi-inning capability and preferably another lefty to pair with Bruihl. The front office will likely target reliable late-inning arms before Spring Training to protect against further turnover.
Betting Implications and Angles
Bruihl’s arrival changes late-inning matchup dynamics for St. Louis. Betting angles to consider: - Favor Cardinals in low-scoring, close games where a trusted lefty matchup could preserve a lead. - Consider under on totals in games where Bruihl is likely to be used in the seventh-to-ninth innings against lineups with key left-handed hitters. - Look at bullpen save/hold props and same-game parlays that hinge on lefty-on-lefty matchups.
Bruihl increases short-term confidence in Cardinals bullpen props, but the club’s overall relief depth remains a question mark until further signings or trades are made.
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