The Cardinals did not tender King a contract for 2026 on Friday, making him a free agent.

EDGE Analysis

King posted a 2.85 ERA for St. Louis in 2024 and appeared poised for a high-leverage role last season, but he failed to take advantage and finished 2025 with a 4.66 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB over 48.1 innings.

The Cardinals activated King (back) from the 15-day injured list Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

King hasn't made an appearance for the Cardinals since late July, as he's dealt with an oblique strain and more recently a mid-back strain. The lefty has been deemed ready to return after making one rehab appearance with Double-A Springfield.

King (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Wednesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

King hasn't been on a big-league mound since late July, as he dealt with an oblique strain and more recently a mid-back strain. It's not clear how many rehab appearances he'll require before being activated from the 15-day injured list, but he's nearing a return.

King (back) will throw a live batting practice session Monday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

King will face fellow rehabbers Nolan Arenado (shoulder) and Brendan Donovan (groin), among others. The lefty reliever hasn't made an appearance in the majors since late July, first because of an oblique strain and later due to a mid-back strain. King will likely require at least one rehab appearance before being activated from the 15-day injured list.

The Cardinals placed King on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a mid-back strain.

EDGE Analysis

King had been on the shelf from July 30 through this past Saturday due to an oblique strain, and despite having not made a relief appearance since being activated Sunday, the left-hander will head back to the IL with a new injury. St. Louis recalled right-hander Andre Granillo from Triple-A Memphis to replace King in the bullpen.

The Cardinals activated King (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

St. Louis optioned reliever Anthony Veneziano to Triple-A Memphis to clear room in the bullpen for King, who had been shelved since July 30 due to a left oblique strain. Prior to going down with the injury, King had notched two wins and two holds while delivering a 5.18 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB across 41.2 innings in 43 appearances.

King (oblique) tossed a scoreless inning Saturday in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Memphis, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

As long as he bounces back well, King should be activated from the 15-day injured list at some point during the Cardinals' Aug. 18-to-24 road trip. The lefty reliever has been sidelined since late July with a left oblique strain.

King (oblique) will throw a full-effort bullpen session Wednesday and, if it goes well, will begin a rehab assignment this weekend, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

King has thrown a pair of bullpen sessions since going on the 15-day injured list in late July with a left oblique strain, but Wednesday's session will be his first at full effort. The lefty reliever hasn't missed much time, so he could be ready to rejoin the active roster next week after a brief rehab assignment.

King (oblique) could begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis as soon as Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

King threw a bullpen session at approximately 70 percent effort last Thursday and was scheduled for a full-effort bullpen session Saturday. As long as he bounces back from those throwing sessions with no issues, he'll be cleared for rehab games. The lefty reliever is first eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list Friday, and he has a good chance to return that day.

The Cardinals placed King on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a left oblique strain.

EDGE Analysis

King suffered the injury during an appearance Tuesday versus the Marlins and will be shelved for at least the next two weeks. Gordon Graceffo was called up from Triple-A Memphis to replace King on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen.