The Cardinals have signed right-hander Peter Strzelecki to a minors contract, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports.  The signing comes just a few days after Strzelecki opted out of another minor league deal with the Brewers.

The 31-year-old posted a 3.44 ERA, 24% strikeout rate, and 8.4% walk rate over 83 2/3 innings with the Brewers, Diamondbacks, and Guardians from 2022-24.  Cleveland designated Strzelecki for assignment following the 2024 season and the Pirates acquired him in a cash trade, but Strzelecki has since gone through a flurry of minor league contracts without any more big league action.  The Brewers did select Strzelecki to their 26-man roster back in May, but he didn’t pitch during his one day on the team before being designated for assignment.

Strzelecki has a 4.06 ERA and a very strong 28.6% strikeout rate and 4.6% walk rate over 31 combined innings with the Brewers’ and Yankees’ Triple-A clubs in 2026.  A .325 BABIP and 14.3% home run rate provide some context for why Strzelecki’s ERA doesn’t match his impressive peripherals, and his lack of minor league options limit his flexibility in being easily added or removed from a 26-man roster.

It also didn’t help Strzelecki that Milwaukee and New York both have strong pitching staffs, so there was less room for him to find a niche in either team’s bullpen.  The Cardinals’ relief corps has been much shakier in 2026, and some roster spots could open up if St. Louis ends up moving some pitchers at the trade deadline.