Keynan Middleton's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

St. Louis Cardinals right-handed reliever Keynan Middleton (forearm) has a forearm strain and will be shut down from throwing for at least 10 days. It means that he'll start the 2024 regular season on the injured list. The Cardinals are planning to be without him for at least a couple of weeks into the season in April. The 30-year-old signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the team last month after he pitched for both the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees in 2023, posting a decent 3.38 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, two saves and 64 strikeouts in 50 2/3 relief innings. When healthy, Middleton can be valuable in deep holds leagues as a late-inning setup man for the Cardinals alongside Andrew Kittredge and Giovanny Gallegos in front of closer Ryan Helsley.

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Keynan Middleton (illness) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session at camp on Wednesday. Middleton is entering his first year with the Cardinals after signing with them in free agency for one year and $5 million, but he reported to camp late and was also held back last week by a stomach bug. The 30-year-old reliever is feeling better now and will be ready for Opening Day at the end of March. While Middleton probably isn't going to see many save chances, if any at all, he could be useful in fantasy leagues that award points for holds, as he should serve in a key late-inning setup role. The former third-round pick of the Angels in 2013 had a 3.38 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with two saves and a career-high 64 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings for the White Sox and Yankees in 2023.

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Keynan Middleton (illness) is dealing with a stomach bug and won't be in camp with the team on Wednesday, according to president of baseball operations John Mozeliak. Middleton should recover in a day or two and rejoin the rest of the team's pitchers in spring training as they ramp up for the start of the 2024 regular season. The 30-year-old reliever should operate in a middle-relief role this year in his first campaign with the Cardinals, but he's not going to have much fantasy value, if any at all. He spent 2023 with the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees, going 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA (4.20 FIP) and a 1.24 WHIP with two saves, 23 walks and a career-high 64 strikeouts in 50 2/3 relief innings.

Free agent reliever Keynan Middleton has agreed to a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Robert Murray of FanSided. The 30-year-old split 2023 with the White Sox and Yankees, posting a 3.26 xFIP, 11.37 K/9, and 56.5 percent ground ball rate over 51 appearances. On a less positive note, he struggled with walks (4.09 BB/9) and home runs (1.42 HR/9). Nevertheless, Middleton has repeatedly proven himself as a strong bullpen option, which makes him a great fit for the Cardinals. After all, St. Louis has repeatedly emphasized a desire to bolster its bullpen this winter, adding the likes of Middleton and Andrew Kittredge while also being linked to Ryan Brasier.