Adding both minor league depth and upside is a great start to the winter. Over the last few weeks, the St. Louis Cardinals have replenished a minor league system lacking upper level pitching depth.
The Cards ought to be plenty familiar with Ryan, having watched the 30-year-old southpaw in the bullpen for the division-rival Cubs in each of the past three seasons.
The Cubs announced Friday that they have placed lefty reliever Brad Wieck on the IL with an irregular heartbeat, which is something he’s dealt with in the past.
Happ and Hoerner had a scary collision when the two converged on a pop fly to shallow center field. Hoerner made the catch but tumbled over Happ and kicked him squarely in the ribs in the process.
While the 2020 season was a struggle for Ryan — 5.17 ERA and five homers allowed in 15 2/3 innings — he was one of the Cubs’ most effective bullpen members in 2019.