Fernandez walked one and struck out two in a scoreless 10th inning Friday to record his first save of the season in a 7-5 win over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

JoJo Romero struggled to find the plate in the eighth inning, throwing only four of 12 pitches for strikes, and Riley O'Brien wasn't used at all after having thrown 13 pitches the night before, so the Cardinals' closer picture got a little murkier after Fernandez got the job done in the 10th. Fernandez has an 11.9 K/9 through 11.1 innings since being called up at the beginning of August, but that comes with a 4.76 ERA and 5.6 BB/9. Romero and O'Brien remain the top options for saves in St. Louis, but Fernandez may be working his way into higher-leverage usage.

The Cardinals recalled Fernandez from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

After trading away Ryan Helsley, Steven Matz and Phil Maton before Thursday's trade deadline, the Cardinals will bring up Fernandez, Andre Granillo and Roddery Munoz to fill the holes in their bullpen. Fernandez, 27, has surrendered 11 runs in only 8.2 innings with the Cardinals this season, but he owns a 3.12 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 34.2 frames at Triple-A.

The Cardinals optioned Fernandez to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Fernandez pitched well in his rookie season in 2024 and came into 2025 as a setup man for the Cardinals, but he's really struggled, allowing 13 runs (11 earned) with a 7:5 K:BB over 8.2 innings. Riley O'Brien is taking his spot on the roster and in the bullpen.

Fernandez (0-2) took the loss after giving up a home run in the ninth inning Friday against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Before Fernandez was able to record an out, Francisco Lindor took him deep to walk it off for the Mets. Ryan Helsley last pitched in Wednesday's win over the Astros, so he likely would have been called upon had it been a save situation as opposed to a tied game. Fernandez remains miles from fantasy relevance in the majority of formats to begin the season, holding a 9.00 ERA, 2.14 WHIP and 4:4 K:BB over seven innings.

Fernandez (hip) tossed a perfect inning in Saturday's victory over the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Fernandez was unavailable to pitch in Thursday's opener due to some hip tightness, but he was ready to go for the Cardinals' second game of the season following the team's off day Friday. The 26-year-old is in line for setup duties in St. Louis this season.

Fernandez was unavailable for Thursday's opener due to hip tightness, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Fernandez not able to pitch, St. Louis used Chris Roycroft in the seventh inning and Phil Maton in the eighth with a one-run lead, and both Roycroft and Maton responded with scoreless frames. Consider Fernandez -- who is expected to be the Cardinals' primary right-handed setup man this season -- day-to-day.

Fernandez is the favorite to open the season as the Cardinals' primary right-handed setup man, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

JoJo Romero is expected to be the main setup man from the left side for closer Ryan Helsley. Fernandez had a terrific rookie season in 2024 after the Cardinals plucked him in the Rule 5 Draft, posting a 3.51 ERA and 71:32 K:BB over 66.2 innings. He's also been superb so far this spring, tossing five hitless and scoreless innings with a 9:2 K:BB. Those in holds leagues should consider Fernandez, who also could eventually get a chance for some saves if St. Louis winds up shipping Helsley out by the trade deadline.

Fernandez (1-6) allowed four runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two over one inning to take the loss Thursday versus the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

He didn't give up a home run, but the Rockies were able to connect for some loud contact against Fernandez in the eighth inning as they erased a three-run deficit. Prior to this appearance, Fernandez had allowed just one run over his last 11.2 innings despite allowing 10 hits and six walks in that span. The right-hander has pitched to a 3.51 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 71:32 K:BB with two saves, three blown saves and 12 holds over 66.2 innings this season as a 26-year-old rookie.

Fernandez (1-5) allowed a run on two hits and a walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings, taking the extra-innings loss versus the Blue Jays on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The walk Fernandez issued was intentional, but it ended up helping the Blue Jays load the bases with no outs in the 11th inning. Fernandez was able to get one out on a fielder's choice to erase the initial runner, but Alejandro Kirk delivered a walk-off single. Prior to Friday, Fernandez was on a 6.1-inning scoreless streak. The rookie reliever has pitched to a 3.21 ERA despite a 1.30 WHIP and 63:31 K:BB over 61.2 innings, and he's added two saves and 11 holds.

Fernandez earned a save against the Brewers on Wednesday, issuing one walk and striking out three batters over one scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Fernandez came on in the bottom of the 10th inning after the Cardinals pushed across the automatic runner in the top of the frame. The right-hander blew through Milwaukee's lineup, retiring all three of the batters he pitched to on a swinging strikeout -- though he issued a walk, it was an intentional pass to Jackson Chourio. Fernandez got the opportunity to close because Ryan Helsley, who leads the majors in saves, tossed two innings and threw 27 pitches Tuesday. Fernandez is not a threat to Helsley's closer role despite his outstanding outing Wednesday.