File: Matt Belisle pitching against the Washington Nationals during a 2015 Spring Training game on March 25.
By Chris Brown – STL Baseball Today
The Cardinals activated Matt Belisle, sidelined since late June due to right elbow inflammation, from the 60-day disabled list on Saturday prior to the completion of Friday’s suspended game in Cincinnati.
A spot on the 40-man roster became available for Belisle after catcher Cody Stanley was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball on Saturday morning for a PED violation. Stanley was placed on the restricted list by the Cardinals shortly thereafter. (Read more about the suspension here)
Signed to a one-year deal in back in December, Belisle performed well in a late-inning role for the Cardinals early in the year, posting a 3.00 ERA with 24 strikeouts over exactly 30 innings pitched before hitting the DL.
“I’m just extremely happy and excited now to contribute,” the 35-year-old veteran told MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch.
As expected, Langosch reports that Belisle’s performance over the few weeks remaining left in the regular season will determine if he could be a part of the team’s postseason roster.
“Now that I’m back, all I have to do is prepare to take the phone call from (Matheny) and prepare to get outs when I’m called on,” Belisle said. “I can’t do anything past that, but I’m sure going to do that to the best of my ability.”
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