Cardinals Shuffle Minor League Roster, Sign New Flamethrower

Matt Pushard begins rehab assignment, Leonil De Leon joins organization

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:09pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold primary colors depicting a baseball game in motion, with players and the field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes.A cubist interpretation of the Cardinals' minor league roster shuffle captures the dynamic movement and energy of the team's player development pipeline.Memphis Today

The St. Louis Cardinals made several moves in their minor league system on Tuesday, including right-handed pitcher Matt Pushard beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis and the team signing 17-year-old international free agent Leonil De Leon to a minor league deal.

Why it matters

These transactions highlight the Cardinals' depth and development pipeline, as they look to bolster their pitching staff and outfield depth at the minor league level.

The details

Pushard, who made one appearance with the big league club this season before being placed on the Injured List due to right knee patellar tendinitis, will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis. Meanwhile, the Cardinals have signed Leonil De Leon, a 17-year-old right-handed pitcher from the Dominican Republic, to a minor league deal. De Leon reportedly already has a fastball that can reach 96 mph.

  • On Tuesday afternoon, the Cardinals made the roster announcements.
  • Pushard was placed on the 15-Day Injured List on March 31.

The players

Matt Pushard

A right-handed pitcher who made one appearance with the Cardinals this season before being placed on the Injured List due to right knee patellar tendinitis.

Leonil De Leon

A 17-year-old right-handed pitcher from the Dominican Republic who the Cardinals have signed to a minor league deal.

Gordon Graceffo

A pitcher who was promoted to the major league roster in Pushard's place and has a 1.08 ERA in six appearances.

Matt Koperniak

An outfielder who has been placed on the Temporary Inactive List by the Cardinals.

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What they’re saying

“LHP Pete Hansen (AAA) and OF Ian Petrutz (A+) have returned from their rehab assignments and been activated from the 7-day IL. RHP Matt Pushard will begin a Major League rehab assignment with Memphis (AAA). OF Mike Antico (AAA) has been reinstated from the Development List.”

— Cardinals Announcement

“OF [Matt Koperniak] (AAA) has been placed on the Temporary Inactive List. INF Anyelo Encarnación (A+) has been placed on the 7-day IL. We have signed international free agent RHP Leonil De Leon (Dominican Republic) to a minor league deal and assigned him to the DSL.”

— Cardinals Announcement

What’s next

The Cardinals will monitor Pushard's progress during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis as they look to get the right-hander back to full health and contributing at the major league level.

The takeaway

These minor league transactions demonstrate the Cardinals' commitment to developing their pitching and outfield depth, as they look to build organizational strength and prepare for potential future roster needs at the major league level.