The Cardinals did not tender King a contract for 2026 on Friday, making him a free agent.
King posted a 2.85 ERA for St. Louis in 2024 and appeared poised for a high-leverage role last season, but he failed to take advantage and finished 2025 with a 4.66 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB over 48.1 innings.