Cardinals Recall Righty For "Meaningful Role" Down The Stretch

The St. Louis Cardinals are working on preparing their pitching staff for the upcoming postseason. As a means to that end, they've recalled right-hander Dakota Hudson, for a "meaningful role" down the stretch.

#STLCards have recalled RHP Dakota Hudson and optioned LHP Packy Naughton to Triple-A Memphis, per the team. Hudson was already with the team in San Diego as part of the taxi squad. Naughton also will stay with the team on the road trip as part of the taxi squad.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) September 21, 2022

Hudson has already started 25 games for the Cardinals this season, and holds an 8-7 record, with a 4.16 ERA. His control of the strike zone is what's held him back, with a mediocre 77:58 K/BB ratio in 134 innings.

But the real reason for his promotion at this time is quite possibly to give veteran Adam Wainwright a bit of rest heading into the playoffs.

#STLCards manager Oliver Marmol said one of the possible uses for RHP Dakota Hudson would be to insert him into the rotation to give Adam Wainwright an extra day of rest. Waino admitted he is still being bothered by “dead arm” and the Cards are looking for ways to aid Waino.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) September 21, 2022

After another season approaching 200 innings, 41-year-old Wainwright has been experiencing a "dead arm" period, and manager Oliver Marmol said one potential role for Hudson would be to plug him into the rotation to give Wainwright an extra day of rest.

“He could be used a couple of different ways,” Marmol said of Hudson. “Insert him into the rotation to buy people a day. We can use him as long relief. We could use him for an inning...