Ahead of deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft, the St. Louis Cardinals made roster adjustments by adding four players to their 40-man roster and removing one. Right-handed pitchers Tink Hence, Tekoah Roby, and Matt Svanson, along with outfielder Matt Koperniak, had their contracts selected. Meanwhile, left-handed pitcher Drew Rom cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Memphis, leaving the Cardinals with one open spot on the roster.
Hence, a 22-year-old right-hander and second-round pick from the 2020 draft, has showcased tremendous potential with 303 strikeouts across 236 minor league innings. However, his limited workload—averaging under 60 innings per season—raises questions about his durability and whether his future lies in the rotation or bullpen. Similarly, Roby, 23, acquired from the Rangers in the 2023 trade deadline deal for Jordan Montgomery, has also struggled with injuries, accumulating only 223 ⅓ innings in four seasons. Despite these challenges, both pitchers are now on the cusp of the majors, though they have yet to pitch at the Triple-A level.
Svanson, 25, joined the organization in the 2023 trade deadline deal for Paul DeJong and excelled as a closer for Double-A Springfield, setting a team record with 27 saves and posting a 2.69 ERA. Although his Arizona Fall League performance was rocky, Svanson is expected to play a significant role in Memphis’s bullpen in 2025 and could see big-league action when needed.
Koperniak, turning 27 in February, was Memphis’s standout player last season, hitting 20 home runs with an .882 OPS while excelling in all three outfield positions. Currently playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic under Albert Pujols’s management, Koperniak appears poised to provide depth as a versatile outfielder at the major league level.
Rom, 24, missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing shoulder surgery but remains in the Cardinals’ system following his outright assignment to Triple-A. He is expected to contribute to Memphis’s rotation in 2025 as he works to regain his form.
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