(Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images)

ST. LOUIS – Looking for fortify a Minor Leagues pitching corps that took several injury and roster hits in recent weeks, the Cardinals claimed left-handed reliever Luis Peralta off waivers on Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Memphis.

Peralta, 25, is the younger brother of former Brewers and current Mets standout pitcher Freddy Peralta. The younger Peralta appeared in 37 games with the Rockies in 2024 and ’25 – with drastically different results from one season to the next.

Peralta, who made his MLB debut on Aug. 24, 2024, with a 1 2/3-inning scoreless relief outing against the Yankees, posted a 0.73 ERA over 15 big-league appearances out of the Colorado bullpen in 2024. That season, he struck out 14 batters compared to just five walks.

However, things did not go as smoothly for him in 2025, when he surrendered six homers and 20 earned runs in 19 innings over 22 outings.

Back in the Minor Leagues in 2026 for his eighth season below the MLB level, Peralta was hammered for 10 hits, two homers and 14 earned runs in 7 1/3 innings (six appearances, one start) with Triple-A Albuquerque.

What has to give a Cardinals franchise desperately seeking for swing-and-miss stuff from pitchers hope regarding Peralta: He struck out 14 hitters in his 7 1/3 innings of work with Triple-A Albuquerque.

Cards seeking to fortify MiLB staff

In recent weeks, the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate in Memphis lost starting pitcher Richard Fitts (lat) and reliever Packy Naughty (elbow tendon) to season-ending injuries that will require surgeries. Also, the Cardinals designated lefties Nick Raquet and for assignment, with Shuster ultimately returning to their Minor League system.