Kyle McClellan has been shifted to the bullpen. The Cardinals acquired right-handed starter Edwin Jackson on Wednesday and will give him his first start Friday night. McClellan has enjoyed far more success in his career as a setup man and should do well in his return to that role.

Kyle McClellan pitched seven innings of one-run ball Monday in a victory over the Astros. He struck out five and didn't walk a batter while scattering six hits. The former reliever is now 7-6 with a 4.15 ERA and 1.30 WHIP, providing NL-only owners with solid value. He'll toe the rubber against the Cubs on Saturday.

Kyle McClellan tossed six mediocre innings against the Mets on Wednesday evening, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks in six innings after being staked to a 4-0 lead in St. Louis' eventual 6-5, 10-inning loss. With a 4.34 ERA and 1.33 through his first 103 2/3 innings of work, it would be disingenuous to call the former reliever a disappointment this season. It's just clear the Cardinals would be best served going forward if they could return McClellan to his previous setup role and replace him in a rotation that appears to be slowly disintegrating.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals officials recently "allowed that scenarios exist" where Kyle McClellan is sent back to the bullpen. Pitching coach Dave Duncan said on Tuesday that such a move has not been discussed, but apparently it has been. Unsurprisingly, the converted reliever McClellan has had problems with wearing down in starts this season, and a return to the Cardinals' shaky bullpen would greatly benefit the club were it able to find a clear rotation upgrade on the trade market. The chances of such a thing happening are unlikely, however.

Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan told a St. Louis radio program Tuesday that moving Kyle McClellan to the bullpen is not a current topic of discussion. McClellan has been shaky in his past couple of outings, especially in the later innings, and the Cardinals have a glaring need in mid-to-long relief. But Duncan told KFNS 590 AM on Tuesday morning that the idea of McClellan moving to the bullpen can't be taken seriously unless an upgrade is found for the starting rotation. The Cardinals have no immediate plans to shop for a starter.

Kyle McClellan got roughed up by the Blue Jays on Sunday, allowing five runs on eight hits and three walks in just 5 1/3 innings of a 5-0 Cardinals loss. He struck out four. McClellan allowed just one run through his first five innings of work, but hit a wall in the sixth, letting the Jays put up a four-spot. He's been up and down since coming off the disabled list, book-ending a start where he allowed just one run in seven innings with five-run outings.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and GM John Mozeliak downplayed the possibility of Kyle McClellan moving from the rotation back to the bullpen. McClellan was a very effective reliever for the Cardinals the previous three seasons, so some have speculated that he could move back there with the team having bullpen issues. But, he's pitched quite well as a starter, and the Cards don't have a lot of rotation depth right now, so they're not interested in robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Kyle McClellan pitched seven innings of one-run ball Tuesday in a no-decision against the Phillies. He walked four, gave up five hits and struck out two. St. Louis' bullpen allowed nine runs over two innings in the 10-2 loss. McClellan had a rocky return from the disabled list on Wednesday against the Nationals, allowing five runs (three earned) in five innings, so this outing was encouraging. He gets the Blue Jays next time out.