{
  "id": 330215,
  "title": "Cardinals Designate Former 17-HR Outfielder for Assignment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/cardinals-designate-former-17-hr-outfielder-for-assignment",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-08T22:06:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/mlb/cardinals-designate-former-17-hr-outfielder-for-assignment-12300893"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The St. Louis Cardinals have made a roster move, designating outfielder Nelson Velazquez for assignment. This comes after Velazquez played in 34 games this season, hitting four home runs, four doubles, 12 RBIs, and posting a .216 batting average. Before that, he spent the entire 2025 season in Triple-A, where he contributed 11 home runs, 31 RBIs, and a .234 batting average in 51 games.\n\nWith Velazquez now without a team, he may become an appealing option for other clubs seeking additional outfield depth. Standing at 5-foot-11, Velazquez has demonstrated the ability to hit for power at the major league level. In 2023, while playing for the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals, he hit 17 home runs and drove in 34 RBIs in just 53 games.\n\nAcross his 228 MLB games with the Cubs, Royals, and Cardinals over four seasons, Velazquez has tallied 35 home runs, 99 RBIs, and maintained a .212 batting average.",
  "summary": "The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that they have designated outfielder Nelson Velazquez for assignment.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}