Top Prospect Thrust Into Important Role in Cardinals Bullpen

The St. Louis Cardinals' pitching staff can't seem to escape the injury bug, with late-game reliever Genesis Cabrera being sent to the injured list on Saturday for an undisclosed reason.

Cabrera, who is 3-1 with a 2.27 ERA in 25 relief appearances, plays a big role in how the Cardinals close out games. With the 25-year-old sidelined, St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold is reporting that fellow reliever Zack Thompson could take over Cabrera's role for the time being.

St. Louis Cardinals Roster Rumors

The Cardinals have yet to confirm how Thompson's role would change in the wake of Cabrera's absence, but it'd be hard to deny the former 2019 19th overall pick the opportunity to step up.

After being promoted to the Majors this month, Thompson has gone 1-0 in five appearances (one start), pitching to a 3.68 ERA and 1.023 WHIP while averaging 3.1 walks and 6.8 strikeouts per nine innings.

The former Kentucky product was rocked with seven hits and five earned runs over five innings in his lone start on June 13 but has since rebounded nicely. He hasn't given up a run or hit in his last three appearances, striking out six batters over 5.2 IP during that span.

When it comes to his late-game statistics, Thompson has a 1.50 ERA in six innings pitched during the seventh inning or beyond, allowing a run on three hits while retiring six batters.

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