ST. LOUIS -- Continuing to add relievers with veteran experience and ones who have a knack for keeping batted balls on the ground, the Cardinals acquired left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl from the Guardians for cash considerations on Tuesday.
Bruihl, 28, has appeared in 94 MLB games over a five-year stretch with the Dodgers, Rockies, Pirates and Blue Jays. He is 2-2 with a 4.72 ERA in those 94 games (two starts) in his MLB career, and he’s pitched in relief in four playoff games with the Dodgers (2021) and Blue Jays (2025).
To make room on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Zak Kent was designated for assignment. The Cardinals had acquired Kent off waivers from the Guardians on Dec. 5.
Bruihl will likely fill the role occupied the past three seasons by lefty reliever John King, who was not tendered a contract by the Cardinals following the 2025 season. Bruihl has held opposing left-handed batters to a .224 batting average with just two home runs and seven extra-base hits in his five-year MLB career (176 batters faced).
Using mostly his sinker (51% usage) and sweeper (42% usage), Bruihl recorded a ground-ball rate of 46.2 percent in 15 games with the Blue Jays in 2025, per Baseball Savant. He had ground-ball rates of 51.9%, 41%, 49.4% and 60% over his first four MLB seasons.
Bruihl was traded from the Blue Jays to the Guardians on Dec. 17 and DFA’d three days later. After going unclaimed, he was dealt to the Cards.