ST. LOUIS -- Just hours after the St. Louis Cardinals recalled Hunter Dobbins from Triple-A Memphis, the right-hander earned his first professional save in a 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday night.
Dobbins helped spell a spent bullpen for 3⅔ innings, in which he yielded one run on four hits with four strikeouts.
Dobbins hadn't pitched in the majors this season since April 30, when he allowed three runs in 4⅓ innings in a start at Pittsburgh. He opened the season on the injured list recovering from a torn ACL he suffered while pitching for Boston on July 11, 2025.
Dobbins was 3-0 with a 3.43 ERA in nine starts for Triple-A Memphis this season and went 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA in 13 appearances (11 starts) last season as a rookie for Boston.
In a related move earlier Sunday, the Cardinals designated right-hander Matt Pushard for assignment.
The 28-year-old Pushard had a 5.14 ERA in six appearances this season after being selected from the Miami Marlins in the 2025 Rule 5 Draft.
Pushard allowed two runs (one earned) in 1⅔ innings Saturday night against the Chicago Cubs.
If Pushard is placed on waivers and goes unclaimed, the Cardinals will have to offer him back to Miami for $50,000.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.