in the previous two seasons and that his sparkling ERA was due in large part to an exorbitant and unsustainable rate of stranding baserunners. After a start against the Kansas City Royals on May 25, Maroth was placed on the disabled list in early June with bone chips in his left elbow. Late in the 2006 season, Maroth made four relief appearances, posting a 9.53 ERA over 5 innings of work, giving up three home runs. Maroth was left off the postseason roster. He returned to the starting rotation in the 2007 season. He missed only one start due to illness. With Kenny Rogers on the DL, the rotation consisted of Maroth, Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Verlander, Chad Durbin, and Nate Robertson. St. Louis Cardinals Maroth was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named later. Minor league pitcher Chris Lambert, a former first-round pick for the Cardinals in 2004, was sent to the Tigers on August 31, 2007, to complete the deal. In his first career National League start on June 25 against the New York Mets, Maroth surrendered just one run and two hits in 7 innings, but did not figure in the decision. However, Maroth was unable to succeed in any role with St. Louis during the rest of the year, going 0–4 with an ERA above 10. He was given his release from the team on October 25, 2007. Later career On February 8, 2008, the Kansas City Royals signed Maroth to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Maroth was released on May 2, 2008. Maroth underwent shoulder surgery in May 2008, expecting to be able to pitch by spring training 2009. On December 30, 2008, Maroth signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Maroth pitched two innings of an exhibition game on March 3, 2009, the first time he had thrown in a Major League game since 2007. Maroth commented "My arm felt great...Probably felt too great. It’s been a while since I've been able to get out there. Got that adrenaline." After not making the team out of camp, Maroth was released. On January 8, 2010, Maroth signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins with an invite to spring training. Maroth did not make the team out of spring training and was sent down to triple A Rochester. In late May, Maroth