Despite salvaging a series split with the San Diego Padres on Thursday afternoon, the St Louis Cardinals’ front office may be throwing in the towel on the 2024 season.

Two of the players the Cardinals had acquired at the trade deadline may soon be out of the clubhouse. The Cardinals designated pitcher Shawn Armstrong for assignment Tuesday, nearly a month after sending Dylan Carlson to the Rays in exchange for the veteran right-hander. Armstrong has appeared in 11 games for the Cardinals, picking up the win Sunday at Minnesota.

And there are reports that Tommy Pham’s return to the Cardinals is coming to a close. The St Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting that Pham could be placed on waivers before Saturday evening’s deadline for other teams to claim him for their 40-man roster. Pham has not been released and was in uniform for yesterday’s 4-1 win over the Padres. Pham returned to the Cardinals from the White Sox in a three-team trade that also sent pitcher Erich Fedde while dealing Tommy Edman to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite hitting a grand slam in his first game back at Busch Stadium, Pham has struggled at the plate in an August to forget for the Redbirds, registering just three hits in his last 39 at bats while striking out 13 times and drawing six walks.

The Cardinals start a series Friday evening in the Bronx against the New York Yankees.