Cardinals activate Whitley, option Fernández, transfer Hudson to 45-day IL

The St. Louis Cardinals shuffled their bullpen mix on Tuesday while officially ending the season of one of their most valuable starting pitchers.

The club announced prior to Tuesday night’s matchup with the Royals that it has activated right-handed reliever Kodi Whitley from the injured list, optioned right-handed reliever Junior Fernández to its alternate training site and transferred right-handed starter Dakota Hudson to the 45-day injured list.

Whitley, a 25-year-old rookie, threw 2 2/3 perfect innings with three strikeouts prior to going on the injured list in early August after contracting COVID-19. He dealt with elbow soreness during his rehab process, slowing his return from the IL. With Whitley activated, the Cardinals no longer have any players on the COVID-19 injured list.

Fernández, 23, has made three appearances this season, allowing six hits, two walks and six earned runs while striking out two over three innings.

Hudson was placed on the 10-day IL over the weekend with a right elbow strain. While that move left the window open for a potential postseason return, the move to transfer him to the 45-day injured list ensures that he will not pitch again in 2020.