RYAN FERNANDEZ NEWS

Cardinals option RHP Fernandez to Triple-A Memphis and recall RHP O'Brien

The St. Louis Cardinals optioned right-handed pitcher Ryan Fernandez to Triple-A Memphis and recalled right-hander Riley O’Brien before Friday’s game against Milwaukee

APRIL 25 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Optioned to Triple-A The Cardinals optioned Fernandez to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Impact Fernandez pitched well in his rookie season in 2024 and came into 2025 as a setup man for the Cardinals, but he's really struggled, allowing 13 runs (11 earned) with a 7:5 K:BB over 8.2 innings. Riley O'Brien is taking his spot on the roster and in the bullpen.

APRIL 25 • ROTOWIRE

Eli White's 3-run homer in 8th inning lifts Braves to 4-1 win over Cardinals

Eli White hit a tie-breaking three-run homer in the eighth inning and the Atlanta Braves beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 to win the three-game series

APRIL 23 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gives up walk-off homer Fernandez (0-2) took the loss after giving up a home run in the ninth inning Friday against the Mets.

Impact Before Fernandez was able to record an out, Francisco Lindor took him deep to walk it off for the Mets. Ryan Helsley last pitched in Wednesday's win over the Astros, so he likely would have been called upon had it been a save situation as opposed to a tied game. Fernandez remains miles from fantasy relevance in the majority of formats to begin the season, holding a 9.00 ERA, 2.14 WHIP and 4:4 K:BB over seven innings.

APRIL 19 • ROTOWIRE

Lindor hits 1st walk-off homer for Mets, 250th home run of career, in 5-4 win over Cardinals

Francisco Lindor turned on an inside cutter from Ryan Fernandez leading off the ninth inning and sent the ball soaring into Citi Field’s second deck in right field, 401 feet away

APRIL 19 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Francisco Lindor hits leadoff homer in 9th to lift the Mets past the Cardinals, 5-4

Francisco Lindor homered off Ryan Fernandez leading off the ninth inning, and the New York Mets survived a late blown lead to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4

APRIL 19 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lars Nootbaar's 3-run HR helps Cardinals beat Astros 4-1

Lars Nootbaar hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning, and Steven Matz pitched five strong innings in his first start of the season to help the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Houst...

APRIL 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Key to Liberatore's gem vs. Phillies was ... ping-pong? ST. LOUIS -- Unlike most starting pitchers, who often prefer to sit in silence, pore over scouting reports and focus on the task at hand on...

APRIL 13 • MLB.COM

Returns from hip issue Fernandez (hip) tossed a perfect inning in Saturday's victory over the Twins.

Impact Fernandez was unavailable to pitch in Thursday's opener due to some hip tightness, but he was ready to go for the Cardinals' second game of the season following the team's off day Friday. The 26-year-old is in line for setup duties in St. Louis this season.

MARCH 30 • ROTOWIRE

Cardinals aim to sweep series against the Twins

The St. Louis Cardinals meet the Minnesota Twins looking to sweep their three-game series

MARCH 30 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

St. Louis Cardinals and Minnesota Twins meet in game 2 of series

The St. Louis Cardinals bring a 1-0 advantage into the latest game of the series against the Minnesota Twins

MARCH 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nursing hip tightness Fernandez was unavailable for Thursday's opener due to hip tightness, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Impact With Fernandez not able to pitch, the Cardinals used Chris Roycroft in the seventh inning and Phil Maton in the eighth inning with a one-run lead, and both Roycroft and Maton responded with scoreless frames. Consider Fernandez -- who is expected to be the primary right-handed setup man this season -- day-to-day.

MARCH 28 • ROTOWIRE

In line to be primary setup man Fernandez is the favorite to open the season as the Cardinals' primary right-handed setup man, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Impact JoJo Romero is expected to be the main setup man from the left side ahead of closer Ryan Helsley. Fernandez had a terrific rookie season in 2024 after the Cardinals plucked him in the Rule 5 Draft, posting a 3.51 ERA and 71:32 K:BB over 66.2 innings. He's also been superb so far this spring, tossing five hitless and scoreless innings with a 9:2 K:BB. Those in holds leagues should consider Fernandez, who also could eventually get a chance for some saves if St. Louis winds up trading Helsley at the deadline.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE

Fernandez ready to build on strong rookie season in battle for setup role JUPITER, Fla. -- When he used the winter to get away from baseball -- and to get back to playing video games with Tampa-based buddies who te...

MARCH 1 • MLB.COM

Takes loss Thursday Fernandez (1-6) allowed four runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two over one inning to take the loss Thursday versus the Rockies.

Impact He didn't give up a home run, but the Rockies were able to connect for some loud contact against Fernandez in the eighth inning as they erased a three-run deficit. Prior to this appearance, Fernandez had allowed just one run over his last 11.2 innings despite allowing 10 hits and six walks in that span. The right-hander has pitched to a 3.51 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 71:32 K:BB with two saves, three blown saves and 12 holds over 66.2 innings this season as a 26-year-old rookie.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Handed fifth loss Fernandez (1-5) allowed a run on two hits and a walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings, taking the extra-innings loss versus the Blue Jays on Friday.

Impact The walk Fernandez issued was intentional, but it ended up helping the Blue Jays load the bases with no outs in the 11th inning. Fernandez was able to get one out on a fielder's choice to erase the initial runner, but Alejandro Kirk delivered a walk-off single. Prior to Friday, Fernandez was on a 6.1-inning scoreless streak. The rookie reliever has pitched to a 3.21 ERA despite a 1.30 WHIP and 63:31 K:BB over 61.2 innings, and he's added two saves and 11 holds.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs second save Fernandez earned a save against the Brewers on Wednesday, issuing one walk and striking out three batters over one scoreless inning.

Impact Fernandez came on in the bottom of the 10th inning after the Cardinals pushed across the automatic runner in the top of the frame. The right-hander blew through Milwaukee's lineup, retiring all three of the batters he pitched to on a swinging strikeout -- though he issued a walk, it was an intentional pass to Jackson Chourio. Fernandez got the opportunity to close because Ryan Helsley, who leads the majors in saves, tossed two innings and threw 27 pitches Tuesday. Fernandez is not a threat to Helsley's closer role despite his outstanding outing Wednesday.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Stuck with fourth loss Fernandez (1-4) allowed three runs on four hits over one-third of an inning, taking the loss Saturday versus the Royals.

Impact Fernandez got the Cardinals out of trouble with two outs in the sixth inning, but he was on the hook for three of the four runs the Royals scored in the seventh. The right-hander had pitched well for most of June and into July, but he's now given up 11 runs (10 earned) over his last 10 innings dating back to July 10. He's at a 3.38 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 48:21 K:BB through 50.2 innings this season. While he has a save and 10 holds, it's unlikely he sees much high-leverage work as long as his struggles persist.

AUGUST 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Stuck with fourth loss Fernandez (1-4) allowed three runs on four hits over one-third of an inning, taking the loss Saturday versus the Royals.

Impact Fernandez got the Cardinals out of trouble with two outs in the sixth inning, but he was on the hook for three of the four runs the Royals scored in the seventh. The right-hander had pitched well for most of June and into July, but he's now given up 11 runs (10 earned) over his last 10 innings dating back to July 10. He's at a 3.38 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 48:21 K:BB through 50.2 innings this season. While he has a save and 10 holds, it's unlikely he sees much high-leverage work as long as his struggles persist.

AUGUST 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Takes extra-inning loss Fernandez (1-3) allowed four runs (three earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out two over one inning, taking the extra-inning loss Friday versus the Nationals.

Impact Fernandez wasn't able to hold back the Nationals' 10th-inning rally. After allowing one run across 16 innings from June 9 to July 7, the reliever has permitted six runs (five earned) over his last 6.2 innings. He's now at a 2.66 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 47:20 K:BB while adding a save, a blown save and 10 holds through 47.1 innings on the year. While he's certainly earned looks in high-leverage spots, his 3.8 BB/9 will likely continue to limit his effectiveness.

JULY 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Snags first win Fernandez (1-2) was perfect over two-thirds of an inning and earned the win Tuesday over the Pirates.

Impact Fernandez was brought into the game after Nick Gonzales' RBI single off JoJo Romero tied the score at 1-1. Fernandez was able to get pinch hitter Ke'Bryan Hayes to ground into a double play to end the eighth inning, and the Cardinals took the lead for good in the ninth. This kind of usage is a further sign that Fernandez has gained trust over the course of his rookie year. He's allowed just four runs (three earned) over 24.2 innings since the start of June and is now at a 2.14 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 45:18 K:BB with a save and 10 holds through 46.1 innings on the year.

JULY 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Collects 10th hold Fernandez struck out one in a perfect inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 6-2 win over Atlanta.

Impact Fernandez was limited to a low-leverage role early in the campaign, but he's worked his way into the setup mix. He has 10 holds this season, nine of which he's earned since June 13. In that span, he's posted a 16:9 K:BB and 1.40 ERA over 19.1 innings. Fernandez is at a 2.17 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 45:18 K:BB through 45.2 innings, and he's added a save and a blown save through 38 appearances.

JULY 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Earns first career save Fernandez allowed a run on two hits over one inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Orioles. He did not walk or strike out a batter.

Impact Fernandez allowed a run on a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, but a baserunning blunder by the Orioles' Cedric Mullins took the tying run off base. The save was Fernandez's first of his career, and he got the opportunity because most of the Cardinals' high-leverage relievers pitched earlier Wednesday to finish off Tuesday's suspended game. The rookie right-hander has done alright in a low-leverage role with a 3.48 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 24:7 K:BB over 20.2 innings while adding one hold and an 0-1 record. He's struggled a little lately with four runs allowed over his last 3.1 innings.

MAY 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

For Rule 5 pick Fernandez, when Cards call, 'Call of Duty' must wait JUPITER, Fla. -- Back in his native Tampa last December, Ryan Fernandez was playing “Call of Duty” when he saw that his agent was calling. S...

MARCH 9, 2024 • MLB.COM

Selected by Cardinals Fernandez was selected by the Cardinals in the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday.

Impact Fernandez, 25, has dealt with injuries during his time in pro ball but has flashed nasty stuff out of the bullpen. Between Low-A Salem, Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester in 2023, he posted a 4.14 ERA and 67:18 K:BB across 54.1 innings of work.

DECEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE