Justin Bruihl Traded: What This Move Means for Cardinals and Guardians Rosters

The St. Louis Cardinals strengthened their bullpen by acquiring left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl from the Cleveland Guardians in a trade involving cash considerations. This move aligns with the Cardinals’ ongoing strategy to add veteran relievers who excel in inducing ground balls.

Justin Bruihl, 28, has accumulated experience over 94 Major League Baseball appearances spanning five years. He has pitched for several teams including the Dodgers, Rockies, Pirates, and Blue Jays, compiling a 2-2 record with a 4.72 ERA. Notably, Bruihl has also participated in four playoff games, representing the Dodgers in 2021 and the Blue Jays in 2025.

To accommodate Bruihl on their 40-man roster, the Cardinals designated right-handed pitcher Zak Kent for assignment. Kent had been recently acquired from the Guardians on December 5, indicating a roster adjustment was necessary to integrate Bruihl.

Bruihl is expected to assume a role similar to that of John King, the lefty reliever who served the Cardinals over the last three seasons but was non-tendered after the 2025 season. Bruihl’s career performance against left-handed hitters has been solid, holding them to a .224 batting average with only two home runs and seven extra-base hits allowed in 176 plate appearances.

A key strength of Bruihl’s pitching is his ability to generate ground balls. Utilizing a sinker 51% of the time and a sweeper 42% of the time, he recorded a 46.2 percent ground-ball rate during 15 outings with the Blue Jays in 2025. His career ground-ball rates have ranged from 41% to 60%, demonstrating consistency in keeping batted balls on the ground, a valuable skill for a reliever.

Bruihl’s transition to the Cardinals came after a brief period with the Guardians. He was traded from the Blue Jays to the Guardians on December 17 but was designated for assignment three days later. After clearing waivers, he was subsequently dealt to St. Louis.

This acquisition provides the Cardinals with a left-handed bullpen option known for inducing ground balls and containing left-handed hitters, a tactical addition as they prepare for upcoming seasons. The move also reflects the team’s emphasis on building a bullpen that combines experience and effectiveness in key relief roles.