The St. Louis Cardinals activated outfielder/first baseman Alec Burleson from the 10-day Injured List (right wrist inflammation) and selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Nick Raquet (rah-KAY) from the Memphis (AAA) roster prior to tonight’s game. Right-handed pitcher Andre Granillo (grah-KNEE-oh) has been optioned to Memphis and infielder/outfielder Garrett Hampson was designated for assignment.
Raquet, 29, was signed by the Cardinals as a minor league free agent in January of 2024 after playing the 2023 season with the York Revolution of the Independent Atlantic League. He was originally selected by the Washington Nationals in the 3rd round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft out of the College of William & Mary.
In 36 games between Springfield (AA) and Memphis this season, Raquet posted a 10-4 record with a 1.68 ERA with eight saves and a 1.06 WHIP. He struck out 57 batters over 48.1 innings. His 10 wins led all Cardinals minor league pitchers while his eight saves ranked 2nd. He was two saves away from being the first Cardinals minor league pitcher to record 10 wins and 10 saves in the same season since Justin Garza in 2004.
The State College, Pa., area native appeared in 132 games over five minor league seasons winning 35 games and compiling a 3.65 ERA. The 2025 season is his first making all relief appearances.
Burleson, who missed nine games, leads the Cardinals with his .286 BA and is 2nd in both HR (16) and RBI (60). He and Raquet will both be active for tonight’s game in Seattle. If Raquet appears in a game this series, he will be the third Cardinals player to make his Major League debut against the Mariners joining Audry Pérez (2013) and So Taguchi (2002). He will wear uniform No. 70.
Hampson played in 35 games for the Cardinals.
