Kyle McClellan has been shifted to the bullpen.

The Cardinals acquired right-handed starter Edwin Jackson on Wednesday and will give him his first start Friday night. McClellan has enjoyed far more success in his career as a setup man and should do well in his return to that role.

Kyle McClellan pitched seven innings of one-run ball Monday in a victory over the Astros.

He struck out five and didn't walk a batter while scattering six hits. The former reliever is now 7-6 with a 4.15 ERA and 1.30 WHIP, providing NL-only owners with solid value. He'll toe the rubber against the Cubs on Saturday.

Kyle McClellan tossed six mediocre innings against the Mets on Wednesday evening, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks in six innings after being staked to a 4-0 lead in St. Louis' eventual 6-5, 10-inning loss.

With a 4.34 ERA and 1.33 through his first 103 2/3 innings of work, it would be disingenuous to call the former reliever a disappointment this season. It's just clear the Cardinals would be best served going forward if they could return McClellan to his previous setup role and replace him in a rotation that appears to be slowly disintegrating.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals officials recently "allowed that scenarios exist" where Kyle McClellan is sent back to the bullpen.

Pitching coach Dave Duncan said on Tuesday that such a move has not been discussed, but apparently it has been. Unsurprisingly, the converted reliever McClellan has had problems with wearing down in starts this season, and a return to the Cardinals' shaky bullpen would greatly benefit the club were it able to find a clear rotation upgrade on the trade market. The chances of such a thing happening are unlikely, however.

Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan told a St. Louis radio program Tuesday that moving Kyle McClellan to the bullpen is not a current topic of discussion.

McClellan has been shaky in his past couple of outings, especially in the later innings, and the Cardinals have a glaring need in mid-to-long relief. But Duncan told KFNS 590 AM on Tuesday morning that the idea of McClellan moving to the bullpen can't be taken seriously unless an upgrade is found for the starting rotation. The Cardinals have no immediate plans to shop for a starter.

Kyle McClellan got roughed up by the Blue Jays on Sunday, allowing five runs on eight hits and three walks in just 5 1/3 innings of a 5-0 Cardinals loss.

He struck out four. McClellan allowed just one run through his first five innings of work, but hit a wall in the sixth, letting the Jays put up a four-spot. He's been up and down since coming off the disabled list, book-ending a start where he allowed just one run in seven innings with five-run outings.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and GM John Mozeliak downplayed the possibility of Kyle McClellan moving from the rotation back to the bullpen.

McClellan was a very effective reliever for the Cardinals the previous three seasons, so some have speculated that he could move back there with the team having bullpen issues. But, he's pitched quite well as a starter, and the Cards don't have a lot of rotation depth right now, so they're not interested in robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Kyle McClellan pitched seven innings of one-run ball Tuesday in a no-decision against the Phillies.

He walked four, gave up five hits and struck out two. St. Louis' bullpen allowed nine runs over two innings in the 10-2 loss. McClellan had a rocky return from the disabled list on Wednesday against the Nationals, allowing five runs (three earned) in five innings, so this outing was encouraging. He gets the Blue Jays next time out.

Kyle McClellan had a rocky return from the disabled list on Wednesday evening against the Nationals, allowing five runs (three earned) in just five innings of a 10-0 Cardinals loss.

He struck out three and walked none while allowing seven hits, including Mike Morse's 11th home run of the season. McClellan's second post-DL start should come early next week against the Phillies.

Cardinals activated OF Kyle McClellan from the 15-day disabled list.

McClellan will return to the Cardinals' rotation on Wednesday night against the Nationals. The right-hander missed just 15 days with a left hip flexor strain and will arrive back to a 6-2 record and 3.86 ERA.

Kyle McClellan (hip) is set to be activated from the disabled list to start on Wednesday against the Nationals.

McClellan missed two starts while nursing a hip injury. He has modified his delivery slightly in order to reduce stress on the hip, but pitching coach Dave Duncan said he's not sure the changes will actually carry over into McClellan's starts. The right-hander will throw a bullpen session over the weekend, at which point it will likely be determined whether the altered motion will stick.

Cardinals placed RHP Kyle McClellan on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 31, with a left hip flexor strain.

McClellan suffered the injury in the first inning of Monday's start against the Giants. It's a tough blow for the 26-year-old right-hander, who is 6-2 with a 3.86 ERA over 10 starts and one relief appearance this season. While the Cardinals are hopeful he will only have to miss the minimum, Lance Lynn will take his place in the starting rotation.

Kyle McClellan (hip) still hopes to make his next scheduled start.

McClellan pitched through discomfort in his left hip during Monday's start against the Giants. "It's pretty sore," said McClellan. "We'll keep monitoring it. Keep working it. You get the inflammation out, and get the swelling out. I'm still hoping to make my next start." The Cardinals haven't rule out placing McClellan on the disabled list, though we'll likely know something more definitive after his scheduled bullpen session Wednesday.

Kyle McClellan will have his hip examined after landing awkwardly during the first inning of Monday's start against the Giants.

Coincidence or not, McClellan gave up a season-high seven runs over four innings in the start. He downplayed an injury after the game, but we'll obviously know about his status in the next day or so.

Kyle McClellan surrendered two runs over eight innings in a victory over the Astros on Thursday.

McClellan struck out five and walked nine in improving to 6-1 on the season. It's hard to imagine him maintaining his current 3.43 ERA while striking out just a batter every other inning, but odds are that he'll remain pretty solid.

Kyle McClellan didn't pitch well Thursday but did enough to get the win, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings in the 11-7 win over the Astros.

He struck out two in the outing. McClellan is now 4-0 but saw his ERA jump up to 3.23 and WHIP rise to 1.43. He's pitched very well overall, but he's walking the tightrope with that WHIP and 17/10 K/BB ratio over 30 2/3 innings. McClellan will go up against the Marlins in his next start.

Kyle McClellan pitched six innings and allowed two runs Friday in a victory over the Reds.

The Cards originally scratched McClellan and named Miguel Batista their starter due to the wet weather, but with the delay striking in the top of the first, it was just like a start for McClellan. He came in after Batista threw six pitches and went on to win for the third time this season. His ERA stands at 2.16.

Kyle McClellan entered Friday's game against the Reds in relief of Miguel Batista following a rain delay of over two hours.

Well played by Tony La Russa. McClellan was originally slated to start the game, but he sent Batista out there because of the threat of rain. Batista only made it through six pitches in the top of the first inning, including a walk to Drew Stubbs, before play was stopped.

Kyle McClellan pitched seven innings of one-run ball Saturday to defeat the Dodgers.

St. Louis will go for a four-game sweep in L.A. with Chris Carpenter on the mound Sunday. McClellan has allowed four runs over 19 innings so far, with the Cardinals winning all three of his starts. He's not really this good, but he isn't a bad play in mixed leagues at the moment.

Kyle McClellan turned in another quality outing in his second career start on Monday, holding the Diamondbacks to seven hits and one run over six innings of work in St. Louis' 8-2 victory.

He struck out four and walked four. It's hard to guess what kind of fantasy option McClellan is going to end up being this season, but the early returns have been good, as he owns a 2.25 ERA and 11-to-5 K/BB ratio through his first 12 innings of work. Don't expect miracles, but he looks ready to get you some wins and strikeouts without hurting your ERA and WHIP.