Keynan Middleton: Everything you need to know

The Dodgers signed Middleton to a minor-league contract Feb. 16. Middleton made just five rehab appearances in 2024 before having flexor tendon surgery and then appeared in four games in 2025 with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League. The 32-year-old pitched well in his last healthy season in 2023, posting a 3.38 ERA and 64:23 K:BB over 50.2 regular-season frames between the White Sox and Yankees. Middleton will give the Dodgers some experienced relief depth at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The Cardinals will decline Middleton's (forearm) $6 million club option for 2025, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. He will be paid a $1 million buyout. Middleton was limited to just five rehab appearances in 2024 due to a right flexor tendon injury which eventually required surgery. The reliever is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day.

The Cardinals transferred Middleton (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Saturday. Middleton underwent season-ending surgery June 11 to repair the flexor tendon in his right forearm, so his move to the 60-day IL comes as little surprise. He will give up his 40-man roster spot for Nick Raposo, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.