Cardinals option Muñoz, promote reliever Svanson for potential MLB debut

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The St. Louis Cardinals made a roster move ahead of the installation of their six-man rotation on Wednesday, as reliever Roddery Muñoz was optioned back to Triple-A Memphis in favor of a fresh arm.

Muñoz had pitched in consecutive games for the Cardinals Monday and Tuesday, allowing a three-run home run while capping off the Cardinals’ win in the first game of the series Monday. He pitched a clean top of the ninth on Tuesday in a losing effort to Houston.

Getting the promotion to the big leagues for the first time in right-handed reliever Matt Svanson, who originally ed the Cardinals organization from the Blue Jays during the summer of 2023. He came over to St. Louis in a trade for shortstop Paul DeJong.

RHP Matt Svanson has been recalled from Memphis (AAA).

He will wear no. 49, and his first appearance will be his MLB debut. pic.twitter.com/nxU7eMcP
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 16, 2025

Svanson had a 2.69 ERA last season across 63.2 innings in Double-A Springfield and had been off to a strong start to the campaign in Triple-A Memphis this year. Svanson carried a 1.59 ERA across 5.2 innings on the young season.

After being added to the Cardinals 40-man roster over the winter to avoid eligibility for the Rule 5 Draft, Svanson has turned in enough solid efforts in the minors to get a look by the MLB team as the Cardinals organize their bullpen around the impending addition of Steven Matz to the starting rotation.

Matz has served as a reliever out of the Cards ‘pen so far this season, but will return in a starting capacity on Wednesday afternoon in the rubber game against Houston.

With that move whittling the Cardinal bullpen down from eight to seven participants, having plenty of fresh arms in relief will be an important aspect, especially considering that Matz is likely to operate under a limited pitch count as he ramps up from a bullpen role.