VerHagen signed a one-year contract with the Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The deal also includes a player option for a second season and could max out at close to $8 million. It will be the second stint with the Fighters for VerHagen, who pitched for them from 2020-21 before spending the last two seasons with the Cardinals.

VerHagen (5-1) allowed one run on one hit and struck out one over one inning to earn the win Saturday over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals stormed out to an 11-0 lead after three innings, but starter Drew Rom didn't complete five frames. VerHagen was ultimately awarded the win instead of Andre Pallante, who allowed a run on four hits over one inning. VerHagen's been a decent middle reliever this year with a 3.98 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 60:26 K:BB over a career-high 61 innings across 60 appearances. That's the best he's done in the majors since 2015 with the Tigers.

VerHagen (4-1) allowed two runs on one hit over one-third of an inning to take the loss and a blown save Saturday versus the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Verhagen plunked Andrew McCutchen and gave up a two-run home run to Josh Palacios in the ninth inning. Prior to Saturday, VerHagen had been in good form with just one run allowed over 10 innings since the start of August. The right-hander has a 4.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 52:21 K:BB, 12 holds and a blown save through 52 innings this season.

The Cardinals reinstated VerHagen (personal) from the bereavement list Monday.

EDGE Analysis

He'll be available out of the bullpen for Monday's series opener versus the Padres after he was away from the team for the past three days while tending to the personal matter. The Cardinals optioned James Naile to Triple-A Memphis to open up a spot on the 26-man active roster for VerHagen.

VerHagen was placed on the bereavement list Friday, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

VerHagen figures to be away from the Cardinals for the duration of their weekend series in Philadelphia before rejoining the roster early next week when they return home. Guillermo Zuniga is taking his spot in the bullpen.

VerHagen (hip) was activated off the 15-day injured list Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

VerHagen missed three weeks with a hip impingement. Prior to the injury, he recorded an unimpressive 4.78 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 35 relief appearances. Kyle Leahy was optioned to clear space on the roster for his return.

VerHagen (hip) could be activated from the 15-day injured list as soon as Saturday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

VerHagen allowed one run over one inning in his first rehab appearance with Double-A Springfield on Thursday and it sounds like it might be the only rehab outing he needs before returning. The righty holds a 4.78 ERA and 38:18 K:BB over 37.2 relief innings for the Cardinals this season.

VerHagen (hip) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Thursday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

VerHagen landed on the injured list at the beginning of July with a right hip impingement after attempting to pitch through it for three weeks. It's unclear how long the Cardinals plan on keeping VerHagen in the minors, but it's likely he returns to the bullpen before the end of July.

VerHagen (hip) was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right hip impingement.

EDGE Analysis

John Denton of MLB.com reports VerHagen has been dealing with hip pain for three weeks. The right-hander tried to pitch through it, but he's given up eight runs (six earned) over his last 9.2 innings. He'll now be shelved for a minimum of two weeks. JoJo Romero was recalled from Triple-A Memphis to take VerHagen's spot in the Cardinals' bullpen.

VerHagen (4-0) pitched 1.2 perfect innings and struck out one to earn the win Sunday over the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

VerHagen did his part to keep the game tied until the Cardinals took the lead in the ninth inning. The right-hander has had mixed results in June with three runs allowed over 6.2 innings while posting a 5:1 K:BB. He continues to serve as a multi-inning option, though he's also managed seven holds this season and could see more late-inning work while Ryan Helsley (forearm) is out. VerHagen has a 4.32 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB over 33.1 innings this season.