Pat Neshek earned his first career save in the Cardinals' extra-innings defeat of the Royals on Wednesday.

Neshek retired all three batters he faced in the bottom of the 11th inning and now boasts a 1.03 ERA, 0.61 WHIP, and 28/3 K/BB ratio in 26 1/3 total frames this season for St. Louis. Trevor Rosenthal allowed two inherited runners to score in the ninth inning Wednesday but probably isn't in danger yet of losing his grip on the closer gig. Neshek would have to be considered next-in-line with Jason Motte still struggling to find his pre-Tommy John surgery velocity.

Cardinals purchased the contract of RHP Pat Neshek from Triple-A Memphis.

Neshek had a 3.24 ERA and nice 11/2 K/BB ratio over 8 1/3 innings this spring to wrap up a spot. He'll serve as a right-handed specialist in the bullpen.

Cardinals signed RHP Pat Neshek to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Neshek, 33, had a 3.35 ERA and 29/15 K/BB ratio in 40 1/3 innings last season with the Athletics. The sidearmer is nice depth to have around for St. Louis, but it could be a challenge for him to win a bullpen job in the spring.

Pat Neshek elected free agency.

The A's outrighted Neshek off the 40-man roster, and the side-winding right-hander elected to explore other options. Neshek, who was mere days from cracking the six years of service time that would have guaranteed free agency anyway, has enjoyed a productive and thoroughly under-appreciated career. He's logged a 3.07 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 214 1/3 innings over parts of the last seven seasons with the Twins, Padres and A's. He tossed 60 frames of 2.70 ERA-ball with the A's the past two seasons but it wasn't enough to save his job, in part because arbitration would have guaranteed him over $1 million in 2014. Neshek should provide sterling relief depth to another organization on a minor league contract.

Athletics purchased the contract of RHP Pat Neshek from Triple-A Sacramento.

Neshek was designated for assignment by the A's in August but made it through waivers and decided to remain with the team. Now he's being rewarded with a September callup.

Athletics sent RHP Pat Neshek outright to Triple-A Sacramento.

Neshek was designated for assignment by the A's on Monday after posting a 3.58 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 37 2/3 innings of relief. He did not draw interest on waivers.

Athletics designated RHP Pat Neshek for assignment.

Neshek has posted a pedestrian 3.58 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 28/12 K/BB ratio in 37 2/3 innings this season. The 32-year-old righty will likely pass through waivers.

Pat Neshek owns a 2.81 ERA over 18 appearances.

Born and bred in Minnesota, Neshek has been a decent middle reliever since he was unceremoniously waived by the Twins prior to the 2011 season. Over the last two seasons in Oakland, he's posted a 2.02 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 27/14 K/BB ratio over 42 appearances.

Athletics and RHP Pat Neshek avoided arbitration Wednesday by agreeing to a one-year contract.

Financial terms of the deal are not yet available. Neshek, 32, registered a promising 1.37 ERA and 16/6 K/BB ratio in 19 2/3 innings this past season for the A's. He will serve as a middle reliever for the club in 2013.

Pat Neshek will be on the Athletics' roster for the ALDS against the Tigers.

Neshek will be pitching with a very heavy heart, as his son died less than 24 hours after being born this week. The 32-year-old right-hander posted a 1.37 ERA and 16/6 K/BB ratio in 19 2/3 innings over 24 relief appearances this season with the A's.

Pat Neshek will be unavailable for the final two games in order to be with his wife as she gives birth to their first child.

He'll be available for the postseason, though it's not a given that the A's would put him on the roster. Neshek holds a 1.37 ERA and 0.81 WHIP over 24 games with Oakland.

According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Athletics have acquired right-hander Pat Neshek from the Orioles.

No word on what the Orioles will get in return. Neshek, formerly of the Twins and Padres, had a 2.66 ERA and 49/7 K/BB ratio over 44 innings this season with the O's Triple-A affiliate.

Orioles signed RHP Pat Neshek to a minor league contract.

The deal also includes a spring training invite. Neshek, 31, posted a 4.01 ERA and an ugly 20/22 K/BB ratio over 24 2/3 innings with the Padres last season. He'll try to win a spot in the Orioles' bullpen.

Padres sent RHP Pat Neshek outright to Triple-A Tucson.

Neshek cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week. The 30-year-old right-hander has posted a 4.01 ERA and 20/22 K/BB ratio over 24 2/3 innings with the Padres this season. He will be a free agent this winter.

Padres designated RHP Pat Neshek for assignment.

Neshek, 30, registered a 4.01 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in 24 2/3 innings this year with San Diego. The veteran right-hander is set to become a free agent again this winter.

Padres designated RHP Pat Neshek for assignment.

The move was made because Ernesto Frieri will be activated from the disabled list soon and the Padres needed a roster spot. Neshek wasn't terrible for San Diego, but they never seemed to trust him, probably because he had control problems throughout the season. He finished with a 4.01 ERA over 25 appearances, but had a 1.66 WHIP mostly due to a terrible 20/22 K/BB ratio over 24 2/3 innings. Another organization could very well take a chance on him. Neshek's career ERA is 3.21 over 157 appearances.

Padres optioned RHP Pat Neshek to Triple-A Tucson.

He'll head back down to the minors now that Ernesto Frieri is back from the paternity leave list. Neshek allowed one run on four walks in his lone appearance on Tuesday.

Padres recalled RHP Pat Neshek from Triple-A Tucson.

He'll take the place of Ernesto Frieri while he's on the paternity leave list. Neshek has a 3.52 ERA and 19/17 K/BB ratio over 23 innings with the Padres this season.

Padres optioned RHP Pat Neshek to Triple-A Tucson.

Neshek didn't deserve to be sent down earlier this season, but he hasn't pitched terribly well since being recalled back in mid-May, holding a 4.20 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over 15 appearances. He'll likely be back later this summer.

Padres recalled RHP Pat Neshek from Triple-A Tucson.

Neshek was unfairly optioned to the minors in late April. He opened the season with a 2.25 ERA over his first eight frames and should do well again in mid-relief.