Call to the Pen: Cardinals Set Their 2026 Bullpen

 
The Cardinal Chronicle
Call to the Pen: Cardinals Set Their 2026 Bullpen
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

The Cardinals didn’t just fill out a bullpen, they assembled one with intent. This group leans into versatility, power arms, and a mix of experience and opportunity. There’s no wasted spot here. Every arm has a role, and more importantly, a path to meaningful innings.

From established late-inning options to a debut worth watching, this bullpen reflects a club that knows exactly what it wants when the starter hands over the ball.

LHP Justin Bruihl - Bruihl gives the Cardinals a steady, situational left-hander who understands his job and doesn’t try to be anything more than that. He works quickly, attacks the zone, and keeps hitters off balance with a mix that plays up against left-handed bats. In a bullpen filled with velocity, Bruihl brings a different look—controlled, efficient, and dependable. He’s the kind of arm managers trust when a key matchup presents itself in the sixth or seventh inning.

RHP Riley O’Brien - O’Brien is one of the more intriguing power arms in this group. His fastball has life, and when he’s commanding it, hitters are often on the defensive from pitch one. The key for O’Brien will be consistency—staying in the zone and letting his stuff do the work. If he finds that rhythm, he has the tools to pitch in leverage spots and quietly become one of the more valuable pieces in this bullpen.

RHP Matt Pushard - Every bullpen needs a story, and Pushard is it. Making his Major League debut, he represents both opportunity and belief from the organization. The Cardinals don’t hand out bullpen spots—they’re earned. Pushard has clearly done enough to force the issue. Now comes the next step: translating that success to the big stage. Early usage may come in lower-leverage situations, but don’t be surprised if his role grows quickly if he shows poise.

LHP JoJo Romero - Romero has become a reliable weapon, particularly against tough left-handed hitters. There’s a quiet confidence to his game now that wasn’t always there earlier in his career. He attacks hitters instead of nibbling, and that mindset has made all the difference. Romero isn’t just a specialist anymore, he’s a trusted arm who can handle full innings when needed.

RHP Chris Roycroft - Roycroft brings a workmanlike approach that fits perfectly in a long season. He may not grab headlines, but he fills an important role—bridging innings, keeping games within reach, and taking pressure off the rest of the bullpen. Every strong bullpen has a pitcher like this, and Roycroft looks ready to be that steady presence.

RHP George Soriano - Soriano is the kind of arm that can change the feel of a game in a hurry. Power stuff, aggressive approach, and the ability to miss bats. He has shown this spring that he’s built for leverage. When he’s on, he shortens games. The Cardinals will likely lean on him in big spots, and his development into a dependable late-inning option could be one of the more important storylines of the season. A quiet offseason move that could make some noise this season.

RHP Ryne Stanek - Stanek brings experience and a track record of pitching in high-pressure situations. I'm a Stanek fan. He’s been there before, and that matters over 162 games. His fastball still plays, and he knows how to attack hitters when the moment calls for it. Stanek gives this bullpen a veteran edge—someone who understands the rhythm of a season and how to navigate the toughest innings.

RHP Matt Svanson - Svanson rounds out the group as another arm with upside and opportunity. My take is, he should start the season as the team's closer. There’s strength in his delivery and enough movement in his pitches to keep hitters uncomfortable. Like several others in this bullpen, his role may evolve over time. Early on, he provides depth, but don’t mistake that for limitation. The Cardinals will give him chances, and what he does with them will determine how big his role becomes.

This isn't a bullpen built around a big name closer, it's built around team of eight. with flexibility in the pen as roles can shift in a long season.

The back end can quickly take shape as the season unfolds with more pitchers competing for the setup and closer's role than I had anticipated over the winter and then again there's highly touted arms in the Cardinals pipeline waiting for their call to the pen.