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Based on where they are in the schedule and who they were set to welcome to Busch Stadium on Monday, the Cardinals’ roster moves led starter Michael McGreevy to return to Class AAA Memphis after a spot start vs. the Dodgers on Sunday.

In a outing that bought the Cardinals rotation an extra day of rest with only one off-day left in June, the 24-year-old McGreevy allowed four runs on eight hits across six innings against the defending World Series champions. He was optioned to Memphis alongside Matt Svanson, who threw 52 pitches in the Sunday loss. Riley O’Brien and Chris Roycroft were recalled to the majors in corresponding moves ahead of the Cardinals’ series opener vs. the Blue Jays at Busch Stadium.

“When you talk about health and putting yourself in the best position for that, it’s not only for the rotation, but it’s also for the bullpen,” Marmol explained of the roster moves.

McGreevy’s start vs. the Dodgers was his second big league outing of the season after he provided 5 2/3 scoreless innings of relief in early May during a win over the Mets. While in the majors, the former first-round pick owns a 2.34 ERA in 34 2/3 innings.

“I really like having him up here,” Marmol said of McGreevy. “I like a lot of things about him. I like his personality. I like what he brings to the clubhouse. I like his overall poise and what comes out of his hand. I think he gives us a shot every time he’s out there. I’d like to have him up here for longer.”

The spot start puts three of the Cardinals five starters on six-day turns and the other two on five-day turns ahead the club’s lone off-day (June 16) this month. It also opens the possibility for a “potential” spot start later this month that would get the Cardinals rotation back on a six-day turn to end June, Marmol noted.

By rule, a pitcher must remain in the minors for a minimum of 15 days before being eligible to be recalled to the majors. This would make McGreevy eligible to be brought back to the majors when the Cardinals welcome the Cubs to Busch Stadium for their final home series of June.

During their current homestand, the Cardinals played a doubleheader vs. the Royals on Thursday. Seven different relievers combined to cover 9 1/3 innings in a three-game weekend set vs. the Dodgers in which the Cardinals won two of three games.

Three games vs. a Blue Jays lineup that has the lowest strikeout rate (18.1%) and the highest contact rate (78.3%) among all 30 clubs across the majors prompted the Cardinals to reinforce their bullpen.

“You have to make sure that you have enough protection that (bullpen) to not use guys that, in case you’re down today ... that you are going to need if you’re up tomorrow,” Marmol said.

Walker’s rehab could begin Thursday

With Jordan Walker’s left wrist continuing to progress to a point where he has reportedly been pain-free while taking swings, the 23-year-old could begin a rehab assignment by Thursday, Marmol said.

On Monday, Marmol said Walker was able to go through “all activities” and was set to take swings in the indoor batting cage an on the field. Whenever Walker begins his rehabs assignment, the expectation is that he will not need to go through a standard build up with his workload.

Walker has been able to go through pregame fielding, throwing and baserunning work while on the 10-day injured list with inflammation in his left wrist — a move that is retroactive to May 29.

“His legs are under him. It’s a matter of the wrist,” Marmol said.

Roby promoted to Class AAA

Pitching prospect Tekoah Roby was promoted to Class AAA Memphis on Monday. Roby, 23, had held a 2.49 ERA and logged 47 innings over 10 starts for Class AA Springfield (Missouri) after beginning the year as the affiliate’s opening day starter. He’s struck out 57 batters and maintained 0.96 WHIP.

Limited by a shoulder injury in 2023 and elbow injury in 2024, Roby was held to 84 2/3 innings over his previous two seasons heading into 2025.

His 3.86 ERA, 33 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings and 2-1 record over five starts in May earned him Cardinals minor league pitcher of the month honors.

The Cardinals added Roby to their 40-man roster this past offseason to protect him from being available to other teams in December’s Rule 5 draft.

Extra bases

During this homestand, Steven Matz reached 10 years of big league service time. Ten years of service in the majors unlocks players coveted post-career benefits and is a mark fewer than 10% of players reach, per the MLBPA.

• Along with Roby’s movement up the system, the Cardinals transferred right-hander Tink Hence’s rehab assignment from Class Low-A Palm Beach to Class High-A Peoria. Hence (right rib cage strain) has made four rehab appearances since returning to game action on May 21. The 22-year-old reached 50 pitches in his most recent outing.
• Left-hander Drew Rom was placed on the seven-day IL. An injury designation was not provided by the Cardinals. Rom, 25, had been in Memphis’s starting rotation since the middle of May and made seven starts since coming off the minor league injured list after a left shoulder injury limited his spring.