| Justin Bruihl | |
|---|---|
| St. Louis Cardinals – No. 47 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1997-06-26)June 26, 1997 (age 28) Petaluma, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 8, 2021, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 2–2 |
| Earned run average | 4.72 |
| Strikeouts | 69 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Justin Bruihl (born June 26, 1997) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theSt. Louis Cardinals ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theLos Angeles Dodgers,Colorado Rockies,Cleveland Guardians,Pittsburgh Pirates, andToronto Blue Jays.
Bruihl was born and grew up inPetaluma, California and attendedCasa Grande High School. He tore theulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow early in his junior season and hadTommy John surgery.[1] Bruihl returned to pitching in the second half of his senior year but was limited to17+1⁄3 innings pitched, striking out 27 batters and allowing no earned runs.[2]
Bruihl enrolled atCalifornia Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he playedcollege baseball for theCal Poly Mustangs. He led the team with 25 appearances as a freshman and had a 1–3win–loss record with a 4.88earned run average (ERA) and 27strikeouts over31+1⁄3innings pitched. After the season, he transferred toSanta Rosa Junior College and posted a 7–0 record and 2.12 ERA with 59 strikeouts over 51 innings pitched in his sophomore season.[3] Bruihl had committed to transfer to theUniversity of California after the end of his sophomore season.[4]
Bruihl was signed by theLos Angeles Dodgers as anundrafted free agent on July 15, 2017. He was assigned to theOgden Raptors of thePioneer League the following season to begin his professional career.[2] Bruihl began the 2019 season with the High–ARancho Cucamonga Quakes before being reassigned to theSingle–AGreat Lakes Loons.[5] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[6]
After beginning the 2021 season with theDouble-ATulsa Drillers, Bruihl was promoted to theTriple-AOklahoma City Dodgers on June 1, 2021.[7] The Dodgers selected Bruihl's contract and promoted him the Major League roster on August 8, 2021.[8] He made his major league debut the same day against theLos Angeles Angels, striking out the first batter he faced (Brandon Marsh) and pitching1+2⁄3 innings.[9] He pitched in18+2⁄3 innings for the Dodgers in 2021 over 21 games and allowed six earned runs (2.89 ERA) on 13 hits.[10] He also made 26 appearances in the minors (eight for Tulsa and 18 for Oklahoma City) where he had a 2.63 ERA.[11] Bruihl was left off the postseason roster for the first two rounds but added for the2021 National League Championship Series,[12] where he pitched two scoreless innings allowing only one hit while striking out five batters.[10]
In 2022, Bruihl split the season between the majors and the minors. He pitched in 25 games for Oklahoma City with a 3–1 record and 3.56 ERA[11] and in 24 games for Los Angeles, with a 1–1 record and 3.80 ERA.[10] On September 18, he picked up his first careersave against theSan Francisco Giants.[13] Bruihl was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to begin the 2023 season.[14] In 20 games for Los Angeles, he worked to a 4.07 ERA with 19 strikeouts in24+1⁄3 innings pitched. On July 28, 2023, Bruihl wasdesignated for assignment.[15]
On August 1, 2023, Bruihl was traded to theColorado Rockies in exchange for cash considerations.[16] In 7 appearances for Colorado, he struggled to a 14.73 ERA with 3 strikeouts across3+2⁄3 innings of work. On August 25, Bruihl was designated for assignment following the promotion ofEvan Justice.[17] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–AAlbuquerque Isotopes on August 28.[18] Bruihl elected free agency following the season on November 6.[19]
On January 3, 2024, Bruihl signed a minor league contract with theCincinnati Reds.[20] In 19 games for the Triple–ALouisville Bats, he recorded a 2.31 ERA with 24 strikeouts across23+1⁄3 innings pitched. On June 3, Bruihl was released by the Reds organization.[21]
On June 6, 2024, Bruihl signed a major league contract with thePittsburgh Pirates.[22] In 7 games for the Pirates, he struggled to a 9.53 ERA with 5 strikeouts across5+2⁄3 innings pitched. On July 7, Bruihl was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh.[23] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–AIndianapolis Indians on July 9.[24] Bruihl elected free agency on October 2.[25]
On March 16, 2025, Bruihl signed a minor league contract with theToronto Blue Jays.[26] In 25 appearances for the Triple-ABuffalo Bisons, he posted a 3-3 record and 3.81 ERA with 36 strikeouts and two saves across28+1⁄3 innings pitched. On June 17, the Blue Jays selected Bruihl's contract, adding him to their active roster.[27] He was optioned to Buffalo on August 30.[28] In 15 appearances for Toronto, Bruihl recorded a 5.27 ERA with 18 strikeouts across13+2⁄3 innings pitched. On December 15, Bruihl was designated for assignment by Toronto following the signing ofTyler Rogers.[29]
On December 17, 2025, Bruihl was traded to theCleveland Guardians in exchange for cash considerations.[30][31] He was designated for assignment following the signing ofShawn Armstrong on December 20.[32]
On January 6, 2026, Bruihl was traded to theSt. Louis Cardinals in exchange for cash considerations.[33]