The Cardinals optioned Graceffo to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.
As expected, Graceffo's latest stint with the Cardinals lasted just one day, as St. Louis called him from Triple-A Memphis to serve as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader with the Royals. He made his first MLB start in the second game of the twin bill and was the pitcher of record in the Cardinals' 8-5 loss, working 3.1 innings and striking out two batters while allowing three earned runs on four hits and no walks.
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Cardinals' Gordon Graceffo: Dealt loss in first MLB start
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Graceffo dropped to 0-1 in the Cardinals' 8-5 loss to the Royals in the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks while striking out two batters over 3.1 innings.
Graceffo tossed 4.1 frames and gave up just one run in his major-league debut June 29, but he worked in long relief in that outing. The right-hander wasn't as effective Wednesday in his first big-league start, though he yielded just one run on two hits through three innings. Kansas City notched back-to-back hits against Graceffo to begin the fourth, however, and he was pulled after a sacrifice fly yielded the Royals' second run. Another tally was charged to his ledger after his departure, and the Cardinals were never able to take the rookie off the hook for the loss. Graceffo served as the team's 27th man for the twin bill, so he'll likely be headed back to Triple-A Memphis in short order.
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Cardinals' Gordon Graceffo: Promoted for Game 2 start
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The Cardinals recalled Graceffo from Triple-A Memphis to start Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Royals.
The 24-year-old will make the first start of his MLB career in Wednesday's nightcap while serving as the 27th man for the twin bill, and he should be sent back to Memphis after the contest. Graceffo has pitched to a 3.86 ERA and 71:31 K:BB over 77 innings at Triple-A this season and fared well during his MLB debut in late June, when he allowed one run across 4.1 innings of long relief versus the Reds.
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Cardinals' Gordon Graceffo: Making first MLB start Wednesday
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The Cardinals are expected to recall Graceffo from Triple-A Memphis to make his first major-league start in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Royals, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Sonny Gray is on turn for St. Louis, but the club will push him back for Friday's matchup versus the Cubs. Graceffo will serve as the 27th man for the Cardinals and will be returned to Memphis after the spot start. The right-hander pitched well in long relief in his major-league debut last month, allowing one run with a 4:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings against the Reds. Graceffo holds a 2.22 ERA and 26:10 K:BB in 28.1 frames with Memphis since the beginning of June.
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Cardinals' Gordon Graceffo: Returns to minors
Rotowire
The Cardinals optioned Graceffo to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.
The 24-year-old was called up Friday and made his MLB debut Saturday versus Cincinnati, and he pitched well in long relief with just one run allowed across 4.1 innings. Graceffo won't be available for a few days following that appearance, so Jacob Bosiokovic will come up as a fresh bullpen arm.
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Cardinals' Gordon Graceffo: Makes debut Saturday
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Graceffo allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings of relief in Saturday's 9-4 loss to the Reds.
Graceffo was called on for mop-up duty after an unusually poor start from Sonny Gray and an ineffective relief appearance by John King. The Cardinals' bullpen has been leaned on heavily of late, and Graceffo was called up Friday to provide length after working as a starter with Triple-A Memphis. He has a 3.84 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 70:29 K:BB over 75 innings with Memphis this year. It's unclear if the right-hander will stick around in the majors or return to Memphis after this 67-pitch appearance, which was his first in 10 days.
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Cardinals' Gordon Graceffo: Added to roster
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The Cardinals selected Graceffo's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.
Graceffo has posted a 3.84 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 70:29 K:BB across 75 frames with Memphis this season. All 14 of his appearances have been starts, and while it's possible he'll get a look in the rotation eventually with the Cardinals, the plan for now is to break him in as a reliever. Graceffo will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game.
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Cardinals' Gordon Graceffo: Headed for majors
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The Cardinals intend to promote Graceffo to the majors Friday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
The Cardinals have gotten short outings from Kyle Gibson and Miles Mikolas in the last two days, so Graceffo will begin his big-league career out of the bullpen. It's possible that changes as the season progresses, as Graceffo has been used exclusively as a starter this season at Triple-A Memphis and for nearly the entirety of his minor-league career. He's maintained a 3.84 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with Memphis but has a solid 70:29 K:BB across 75 frames and also has good prospect pedigree.
Graceffo (shoulder) was activated from Triple-A Memphis' injured list Friday.
Graceffo last pitched May 28 prior to dealing with shoulder inflammation. He'll rejoin Memphis' rotation, and a strong showing could make him an option to join the Cardinals later in the season.
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Cardinals' Gordon Graceffo: Could return in two weeks
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Graceffo (shoulder) could rejoin the Triple-A Memphis rotation in two weeks, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Graceffo has been on the injured list since May 3 because of shoulder inflammation, but he's returned to playing catch and is going through pregame work. The 23-year-old has touched triple digits with his fastball, but that hasn't consistently led to strikeouts in the minors. He has a chance to pitch for the Cardinals by the end of 2023 if he's able to stay healthy.
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Cardinals' Gordon Graceffo: Lands on minor-league IL
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Graceffo (shoulder) was placed on the 7-day minor-league injured list at Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Graceffo was tagged for six runs, including two home runs, over five innings in his most recent start for Memphis. He's posted a pedestrian 4.91 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB through 22 innings across five starts at the Triple-A level. The right-hander's injury is described as inflammation for now, but the Cardinals will likely want to take a cautious approach with one of their top pitching prospects.
Cardinals' Gordon Graceffo: Opens season in Triple-A rotation
Rotowire
Graceffo will be in the Triple-A Memphis rotation to open the 2023 season.
Graceffo makes the jump to the Triple-A level after flourishing with a 2.97 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 139:28 K:BB over 139.1 innings (26 starts) last season between High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield. The 23-year-old right-hander might prove to be a steal for the Cardinals as a fifth-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. He's tracking toward debuting for St. Louis in 2023.
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Cardinals' Gordon Graceffo: Reassigned to minors camp
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Graceffo was reassigned Saturday to minor-league camp by the Cardinals, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Graceffo is one of the top pitching prospects in the St. Louis system, but was never a serious candidate to make the rotation to open the season. The right-hander will begin the year in the upper levels of the minors, and if he comes close to replicating his numbers of 2022 -- 2.97 ERA, 139:28 K:BB ratio over 139.1 innings of work -- he could make his big-league debut this summer.
Cardinals' Gordon Graceffo: Adapting well in Double-A
Rotowire
Graceffo went seven innings for Double-A Springfield on Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits without a walk while striking out six. He now has a 2.78 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 18:2 K:BB in 22.2 innings spanning four starts since his promotion.
The strikeouts have dropped off noticeably from his spectacular High-A results (11.2 K/9 for Peoria; just 7.3 with Springfield), but Graceffo continues to display pinpoint control. It's reasonable to think that he'll increase his whiffs as he goes along, too. Graceffo has pitched a career-high seven innings in each of his last two outings, striking out six both times. His results bear watching as the Double-A season continues.
