The St. Louis Cardinals have experienced a turbulent season marked by inconsistent performance and recent setbacks. Their situation worsened following the trade deadline, when they parted ways with several key relief pitchers in exchange for prospects, signaling a shift toward rebuilding rather than contending. As a result, the team is considering significant roster changes, including the potential replacement of veteran pitcher Miles Mikolas, whose ongoing struggles have raised concerns about his future role in St. Louis.
Reasons Behind Considering Changes in the Pitching Rotation
Miles Mikolas, who is on an expiring contract with a no-trade clause, has been unable to regain his form. His starts have often lacked competitiveness, diminishing the Cardinals’ hope of relying on him moving forward. Given his decline in effectiveness and the team’s apparent decision to prioritize long-term development, management is weighing the option of removing Mikolas from their lineup before the season concludes.
Kyle Leahy’s Performance Sparks Optimism
Relief pitcher Kyle Leahy has emerged as a promising candidate to take Mikolas’s place in the rotation. Thomas Gauvain of Redbird Rants highlighted Leahy’s improved form, noting his strong early season and recent resurgence after a tough stretch in May and June.
Leahy started the year off strong with a 1.02 ERA in 17.2 innings in the month of April. He was roughed up in May and June with ERAs of 3.00 and 4.40, respectively. Since then, Leahy has righted the ship,
Gauvain wrote. —Thomas Gauvain, Redbird Rants
Leahy concluded July with a 2.63 ERA across 13.2 innings, featuring 16 strikeouts, while his August statistics show further improvement, indicating his capacity to handle greater responsibilities within the pitching staff.
Potential Transition from Relief to Starter
Although Leahy primarily pitches in relief this season, his consistent control and low earned run average position him as a candidate for the starting rotation, a significant step up in role and workload. Gauvain suggested that giving Leahy an opportunity to start could serve as both a trial for the remainder of this season and a preview of the Cardinals’ pitching plans for 2026.
Kyle Leahy probably isn’t stretched out enough right now to go five or six innings, but he could easily throw 60 pitches in an outing given sufficient rest. He should immediately take Miles Mikolas’s next turn in the rotation to help the Cardinals down the stretch. Consider it his audition for the 2026 starting rotation.
—Thomas Gauvain, Redbird Rants
This assessment highlights that, while Leahy might not yet have the stamina to pitch deep into games, he could effectively handle shorter starts, providing both rest for the bullpen and evaluative opportunities for the coaching staff.
Statistical Summary and Team Strategy
In 62 2/3 innings pitched exclusively from the bullpen, Leahy has maintained an ERA under 3.00 and a WHIP around 1.00, allowing only 48 hits and issuing 19 walks. These numbers underscore his reliability in relief, although starting requires a different approach and endurance.
The likely motivation behind this potential roster adjustment goes beyond immediate wins. By testing Leahy as a starter at the close of this difficult season, the Cardinals can assess his readiness for a larger role in 2026, signaling an emphasis on building a competitive future core rather than chasing short-term success.
Looking Ahead: What the Move Could Mean for the Cardinals
The decision to replace Mikolas with Leahy symbolizes the Cardinals’ broader strategy to phase out veteran players who may no longer meet team expectations while providing emerging talent with opportunities to prove themselves. This move, if realized, could help the Cardinals evaluate their pitching depth under pressure, offering valuable insights as they prepare for next year’s roster construction and competitive aspirations.