Cardinals Outright P Kodi Whitley & INF Kramer Robertson
Per MLB.com’s transaction tracker, the St. Louis Cardinals have outrighted RHP Kodi Whitley & INF Kramer Robertson.
Whitley, 27, was drafted by the Cardinals in the 27th round of the 2017 MLB draft. After some strong showings at the minor league levels, Kodi began the 2020 season as a part of St. Louis’ Opening Day roster. After debuting that July, he tested positive for Covid in August and eventually returned to the team late September. He did not begin the 2021 on the Cardinals roster but did contribute by compiling a 2.49 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings.
Last season, Whitley saw limited action at the major league level, pitching just over 12 innings of relief with a 2-0 W/L record and 5.68 ERA. In total, he’s pitched 42 2/3 innings for St. Louis with a 3.38 ERA.
As for Robertson, the 28 year old infielder was DFA’d by the Cardinals this past season and found temporary homes in both the New York Mets & Atlanta Braves organizations, before a series of waiver claims led him back to St. Louis.
His defensive versatility of being able to play SS, 2B, & 3B while maintaining being a contact style hitter, has been part of his appeal. Kramer slashed .239/.393/.363 in 116 Triple A games this season and was hitless in his lone 2 games in the majors last season with the Cardinals.
With the mid-November deadline for teams to add players to their 40-man roster, it looks as if the Cardinals are willing to roll the dice and potentially risk losing one or both (Whitley, Robertson) to waivers. The Rule 5 draft upcoming with certain players that are currently on the 60-day IL will need to be put back on the roster.
Currently the Cardinals have pitchers Alex Reyes & Drew VerHagen on said 60-day IL, so this move likely correlates with the above mentioned. If Whitley & Robertson are not claimed, they will be remain in the organization (Memphis Redbirds) as depth players.