The St. Louis Cardinals continued their series against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday at Great American Ball Park, looking to build on recent momentum after a shutout victory the night before.
St. Louis blanked the Reds 3-0 on Tuesday, improving its standing in a competitive National League Central race. The Cardinals entered the day with a 65-62 record through 127 games, sitting in third place in the division. They have played solid baseball of late, going 7-3 in their past 10 contests and holding a 33-28 mark in 61 road games this season.
While the focus remained on the field, the organization made a quiet addition to its minor league ranks. The Cardinals signed free agent outfielder Bligh Madris to a minor league contract and assigned him to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds.
MLB.com wrote (on August 19): “St. Louis Cardinals signed free agent OF Bligh Madris to a minor league contract. OF Bligh Madris assigned to Memphis Redbirds.”
Madris is no stranger to the Cardinals system. He spent time with the organization earlier in the 2026 season before being released by Memphis in mid-July. At that point, the club transferred his contract to a team in the Korean Baseball Organization.
The left-handed hitter had posted a strong .908 OPS across 71 Triple-A games before the move.
Selected in the ninth round of the 2017 MLB Draft, Madris has carved out a journeyman career that includes time at the major league level with three different clubs. He appeared in games for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers over three seasons. His most recent big league action came in 2024, when he played in 21 contests for the Tigers.
In 72 career major league games, Madris has hit .204 with 42 hits, two home runs, 12 RBIs, 22 runs scored and two stolen bases. He will turn 31 in February, giving him valuable experience as organizational depth for St. Louis.
The move provides Memphis with another veteran presence who can fill in at outfield or first base. Madris has shown the ability to contribute offensively in the high minors, which could prove useful if injuries arise or if the big league club needs reinforcements later in the year.
St. Louis has stayed competitive throughout the season despite challenges. The recent winning stretch has kept the team within striking distance of the division leaders and in the mix for a potential wild-card berth. Fans following the club have noted the importance of depth moves like this one as the schedule intensifies.
After wrapping up the series in Cincinnati, the Cardinals will head to Philadelphia for a weekend set against the Phillies beginning Friday night. That matchup offers another test against strong National League competition as St. Louis tries to maintain its late-season push.
Madris’ return to the organization marks a full-circle moment after his earlier departure to Korea. Having previously performed well in Triple-A for the Redbirds, he now gets another opportunity to contribute within a familiar system.
For a player who has bounced between organizations and leagues, the chance to settle back in with St. Louis could provide stability down the stretch.
The Cardinals continue balancing big league results with careful management of their minor league roster. Signings such as this one rarely make headlines on their own, yet they form part of the broader effort to stay prepared for whatever the final weeks of the regular season may bring.
With the team sitting just a few games over .500, every bit of depth counts as the calendar turns toward September.
