Cardinals name Sonny Gray their opening day starter at Busch vs. his former team
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray throws in the bullpen on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, on during spring training at the team's training facility in Jupiter, Florida.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
JUPITER, Fla. — The grand debut planned a year ago and sidetracked by injury is set to get a second chance.
Sonny Gray will start opening day at Busch Stadium on March 27 against his former team, the Minnesota Twins. Manager Oliver Marmol made the assignment official Sunday morning ahead of Gray's spring training start against the Marlins. Gray's selection by the Cardinals as their opening day starter was telegraphed early in camp by his schedule, his position atop the rotation, and the choice he made this past offseason.
Given the chance to be traded elsewhere, to a team closer to contending for a World Series, Gray said he would invoke his no-trade clause and that he preferred to remain with the Cardinals.
Marmol said he received a hug from Gray when he told him about the start.
Marmol was asked if he notified Gray of his opening day start in September before they parted for the offseason.
This received a laugh from the manager.
He told Gray more recently than September.
The start will be Gray's fourth opening day start of his career, coming after he did it twice as a young starter for the Oakland Athletics and then, most recently, started the delayed opening day in 2020 for the Cincinnati Reds.Â
Gray missed last year's opening day start because of a hamstring strain during spring that forced him to start the regular season on the injured list.Â
After finishing runnerup for the American League Cy Young Award in 2023 with the Twins, Gray signed a three-year, $75 million contract with the Cardinals as a free agent. The deal includes an option that would make Gray the first $100-million pitcher for the Cardinals if exercised. In his first year with the Cardinals, Gray went 13-9 with a 3.84 ERA and 203 strikeouts in only 166 1/3 innings.
He was one of the top starters in the game when it came to striking out batters whenever he got to a two-strike count, and Gray's sweeping slider is considered one of the best swing-and-miss pitches in the majors.
Gray will start opposite his good friend, Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez.
The Cardinals open their regular season with a three-game weekend series against the Twins before the Los Angeles Angels visit to close out the homestand. The Cardinals' first nine games of the regular season are against American League teams before they visit Pittsburgh.
The Cardinals' rotation schedule for spring put Erick Fedde immediately Gray followed by Miles Mikolas, Steven Matz, and then Andre Pallante and rookie Michael McGreevy.
JUPITER, Fla. — Two innings before his turbo-charged changeup got an awkward swing and nod o…
Cardinals coach and former All-Star outfielder discusses managing the club’s top prospects in the Spring Breakout game on March 14, 2025. The game features several of the Cardinals rising hitting talents, including JJ Wetherholt and Yairo Padilla, and top pitching prospect Quinn Mathews. (Video from Derrick Goold)
O'Brien experienced a 'flare up' around his right elbow after a Feb. 26 outing and he went 16 days between games (but not throwing) before blazing back into the competition Friday night.
JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals broadcaster Chip Caray lobbed a compelling question into the conversation he and other members of the media had this past week with Tony Clark, chief executive of the Major League Baseball Players' Association.
Caray, a longtime presence on baseball broadcasts and third-generation Caray in that role, wondered what it would look like if Major League Baseball ditched geographic divisions and reimagined itself along economic lines. The divisions would be organized by market size, not region. Tampa Bay would be free from competing against the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox for a division playoff spot. The Colorado Rockies wouldn't have to keep pace with the wallets in the National League West, if they were in the Plaines Division with Kansas City.
It's one way to open up more spots in the postseason for markets that are increasingly seeing those routes erased.
Expansion is going to make such tinkering possible.
Intrigued, Best Podcast in Baseball host and ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ baseball writer Derrick Goold asked Caray to expand on his question in this brand new episode -- and much much much more.
This is the 80th year of a Caray calling baseball, and that puts their family up there with some of the longest tenured in the history of the game in any role, any level, or any capacity. And there is a fourth generation on the way. FanDuel ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ Network picked up the Cardinals' Spring Breakout game on March 14 for prospects, but the prospects won't only be on the field. Chip's son, Stefan, will join him in the booth to call the game and offer thoughts on many of the players he's seen before from calling minor-league games.
Prospects for the future of baseball, prospects for the future of playing baseball, and prospects for the future of calling baseball -- all in one 30 minute conversation under the son at the Cardinals player development complex in Jupiter.
The Best Podcast in Baseball, sponsored by Closets by Design of St. Louis, is a production of the ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ, , and Derrick Goold.
ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ
JUPITER, Fla. — The young fella from Mars didn’t seem terribly out of place in Cardinals camp this spring. Of course, that’s Mars, Pennsylvania, a small community of fewer than 1,500 residents roughly 30 minutes north of PNC Park in Pittsburgh. And the young fella who’s the latest and greatest local sports standout from Mars? Well, that’s Cardinals top prospect JJ Wetherholt.
The No. 7 overall pick in last summer’s MLB Draft, Wetherholt attended big-league spring training camp as a non-roster invitee — a jump-start to his first full season in professional baseball. He remained with the big club until Wednesday, when the Cardinals assigned him to minor-league camp.
A 5-foot-10, 190-pound left-handed hitting shortstop, Wetherholt showed no signs of being a fish out of water despite being thrust into a high-profile and new environment while wearing the label of “top prospect” less than 10 months removed from his final college game.
The Cardinals’ JJ Wetherholt sets up to throw as spring training continues on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at the team’s practice facility in Jupiter, Fla.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
You don’t have to spend very much time talking to Wetherholt, 22, before you realize he possesses a big-league level of calmness and maturity.
The , Wetherholt earned a First Team All-Big 12 selection in 2024 despite a hamstring injury that limited him to 36 games.
Then the Cardinals selected him seventh overall in the draft, sent him to Single-A Palm Beach where he started his minor-league career with a slash line of .295/.405/.400 in 29 games, Baseball America and both named him the Cardinals top prospect (each also have him among their Top 25 prospects in the minors) and he garnered that invitation to big-league camp. Even with all of that, his maturity remains evident.
Or perhaps it hasn’t been as much of a whirlwind this past year as it seemed?
“It has,” Wetherholt said, “But the biggest thing that stays consistent is just the people in my corner. My family, my agent who has been with me for a while, my coaches back at college and the coaches here — that good group of guys, my friends and my teammates. That’s what’s been the most consistent, those people that are just rooting for me.
“So you can put your faith in them and know that no matter how things go down, they’re going to be with you. Then on the baseball side of things, there’s just really good players at every level. That’s been really cool to see, just the competition.”
The young man from the small Pennsylvania community said he uses his tight-knit group of family, friends and supporters to keep him “grounded,” and it also provides motivation to perform.
With that backdrop, it begins to become clear how he managed to take such a big-picture view of his first big-league camp.
The Cardinals’ JJ Wetherholt rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning of a spring training game against the Houston Astros on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Jupiter, Fla.
Jeff Roberson, Associated Press
Maturity has quickly become one of Wetherholt’s calling cards.
Cardinals hitting and outfield instructor/special adviser Ryan Ludwick spent parts of 12 seasons in the majors.
The first two words out of Ludwick’s mouth when asked about Wetherholt were “barrel control.” Then Ludwick landed on maturity as an overarching theme as he described the first impression Wetherholt left on him.
“I’ve been very fortunate to see some of these guys come up after they’ve been drafted or see their first live (batting practice session) or the first time they put on a Cardinals uniform,” Ludwick said. “I’ll never forget, on Field 6, when he took his first batting practice.
“You look at professional hitters and the way they take a batting practice — his first five swings were line drives off the left-center field wall. That showed maturity right there. A lot of young guys will want to come out and step on the gas pedal right away and see how far they can launch the ball. Just his Baseball IQ, his self-awareness to be able to come out and stay composed and stay within himself and show the reason he was drafted that high (stands out).”
Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said he was “highly impressed” by Wetherholt. It wasn’t any one physical trait or skillset of Wetherholt’s that left that imprint on Marmol’s mind. Marmol wanted to get a sense for how Wetherholt handled things.
How did Wetherholt comport himself?
“To this point, he’s a pro,” Marmol said before Wetherholt left big-league camp. “It is a nice trait when you are young and you are comfortable in your own skin, and he knows what he brings to the table. He’s confident with it. He is completely comfortable with what he does not know. That’s also good for a young guy, to be comfortable to ask questions.”
Wetherholt’s statistics won’t jump out at anyone. He didn’t light the Grapefruit League ablaze the way Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn did a couple years ago.
Wetherholt appeared in 10 spring training games, went 2 for 20 (a .100 batting average). He swatted one home run, walked more times (six) than he struck out (five) and stole three bases.
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt warms up between innings of a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Jupiter, Fla.
Jeff Roberson - AP
Wetherholt said he understands that this time around, his experience with the big club in spring training was just that — an experience. He also said that made it a bit easier to deal with stretches when things weren’t going great because, “It’s about the process and not the results.”
“I was there to learn and to get better and to prepare for a long season, and to hopefully be in a good spot when the season came,” Wetherholt said. “So I knew that the goal of my (spring) this year was to not to go and have an insane big-league camp.
“Of course, I wanted to perform at the highest of my abilities. In hindsight, the goal was to prepare myself for a season and put myself in a good spot.”
That’s a very thoughtful and mature view.
Oh, by the way, Wetherholt also said he wants to be competing for a roster spot the next time he’s in big-league camp.
JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals broadcaster Chip Caray lobbed a compelling question into the conversation he and other members of the media had this past week with Tony Clark, chief executive of the Major League Baseball Players' Association.
Caray, a longtime presence on baseball broadcasts and third-generation Caray in that role, wondered what it would look like if Major League Baseball ditched geographic divisions and reimagined itself along economic lines. The divisions would be organized by market size, not region. Tampa Bay would be free from competing against the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox for a division playoff spot. The Colorado Rockies wouldn't have to keep pace with the wallets in the National League West, if they were in the Plaines Division with Kansas City.
It's one way to open up more spots in the postseason for markets that are increasingly seeing those routes erased.
Expansion is going to make such tinkering possible.
Intrigued, Best Podcast in Baseball host and ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ baseball writer Derrick Goold asked Caray to expand on his question in this brand new episode -- and much much much more.
This is the 80th year of a Caray calling baseball, and that puts their family up there with some of the longest tenured in the history of the game in any role, any level, or any capacity. And there is a fourth generation on the way. FanDuel ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ Network picked up the Cardinals' Spring Breakout game on March 14 for prospects, but the prospects won't only be on the field. Chip's son, Stefan, will join him in the booth to call the game and offer thoughts on many of the players he's seen before from calling minor-league games.
Prospects for the future of baseball, prospects for the future of playing baseball, and prospects for the future of calling baseball -- all in one 30 minute conversation under the son at the Cardinals player development complex in Jupiter.
The Best Podcast in Baseball, sponsored by Closets by Design of St. Louis, is a production of the ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ, , and Derrick Goold.
ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ
JUPITER, Fla. — Two innings before his turbo-charged changeup got an awkward swing and nod of appreciation from the highest-paid player in the game, Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy could only shake his head late Friday night for the cut fastball he tried to get past Juan Soto.
It landed somewhere out there as a souvenir beyond the right-center wall.
“You’d love to throw a good cutter all the time, especially at that time,” said the rookie right-hander. “That one was down, not located well, and right in the lefty’s honey hole. I was a lefthanded batter. I saw where that pitch was. I’d love to hit that pitch. But looking back at the at-bat, he saw three cutters. Why on Earth would I throw one of the best hitters on the planet the same three pitches in that one at-bat, especially with the last one being the worst of the three?
“No,” McGreevy concluded, “read the swing. Know the pitches.”
Cardinals pitcher Michael McGreevy throws while practicing on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, at the team's practice facility in Jupiter, Fla.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
What began last year with three sneak-peek starts in the majors has become a main attraction this spring for McGreevy. He and his mix of pitches shoved their way into the starter conversation. This past week, the Cardinals split McGreevy and Andre Pallante onto different days to avoid piggybacking and continue increasing their pitch counts. Matthew Liberatore is also remaining on a starter program. That leaves, effectively, seven starters still in camp for the five spots the Cardinals expect for the opening of the season.
On this selection Sunday, as the NCAA announces its field for the men’s basketball March Madness tournament, the Cardinals have their own Final Four of decisions to make.
They had top seeds entering camp.
There are birds on the bubble.
No bracket-busters but maybe a sleeper or two.
With the Cardinals’ elimination tourney entering its final week, here are the four spots on the roster that are still a jump ball, and where better to begin than at the start:
1. Fifth starter
Standing in a weight room nearest Clover Park’s visitors clubhouse, McGreevy retraced his pitches through two at-bats against Soto late Friday night in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Working with a catcher he just met a few days earlier, McGreevy made the mistake of trying the cutter too many times to Soto in the first at-bat. In the third inning, McGreevy shifted to his sinker for the first two pitches and got a called second strike with it — plus the familiar nod from Soto.
For his third pitch, McGreevy tucked an 89-mph changeup under the zone for an unfamiliar swing from Soto and the strikeout.
The only run McGreevy allowed in four innings was Soto’s homer, and the young right-hander landed six different types of pitches for strikes, got at least one swing and a miss on each.
“Multiple cutters got him,” Marmol said. “Good to see that matchup again, and just the way he approached it. His demeanor and overall mentality toward the at-bat. I like that he stayed on the attack and didn’t shy away.”
The Cardinals want McGreevy to remain a starter, and only the level where he starts is the question. If in Class AAA Memphis, he’d be the de facto sixth starter and could be called on regularly for cameo appearances. Or, he must nudge aside an incumbent in the rotation. The Cardinals are less rigid when it comes to Liberatore’s role. He’ll be on the opening day roster, executive John Mozeliak said, and the club believes the lefty can follow the footpath of other prospects from the bullpen into the rotation.
Pallante made his fourth start of spring Saturday in Toronto’s first ever visit to face the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. The right-hander tumbled into trouble in the second inning when he walked two and then allowed three consecutive base hits, including a bunt he stumbled to field at the mound. Pallante limited the damage of the inning with help from a snazzy 3-2-3 double play turned by Willson Contreras. And then Pallante cruised, retiring the next nine batters. He finished five innings with six hits allowed and five strikeouts.
“Just needs to be himself,” Marmol said.
The Cardinals entered camp with five starters in place and, while open to discussing trades involving either Erick Fedde or Steven Matz, expecting to leave as the starters. Marmol was asked late Friday how steep the challenge McGreevy had to overcome just to get this deep into camp still starting, and he smiled.
“That’s what the big leagues are about,” the manager said.
Top seed entering camp: Andre Pallante, RHP
Sleeper: Michael McGreevy, RHP
Bird on the Bubble: Matthew Liberatore, LHP
2. Right-handed relief
In the days since signing veteran reliever Phil Maton to a one-year, big-league deal, the Cardinals have optioned to Class AAA right-handers Gordon Graceffo, Roddery Munoz, and, on Saturday, Riley O’Brien. All three had been in the running for the final right-handed spot in the bullpen with Maton’s arrival, and all are expected to see innings at some point this summer in St. Louis. The moves distill the derby for the opening day bullpen.
It’s not a coincidence that Chris Roycroft and Nick Anderson were scheduled to pitch Saturday alongside closer Ryan Helsley. Anderson is eligible to be picked up by the other 29 teams and placed on their active roster if he does not make the Cardinals’ opening day roster. The former Rays standout has steadily improved with each outing until a clunker Saturday when he allowed two homers the ninth inning. Roycroft bulldozed out of the bullpen from the beginning, taking a 0.00 ERA and five strikeouts into Saturday’s game. He struck out one in a scoreless inning. In his previous outing he struck out three when given a save opportunity vs. the Yankees. Kyle Leahy also continues to make his case.
And the focus is tightening.
And in the coming days, Marmol will shift to a more game-like approach for relievers that will reveal how he sees the roles sorting out as they lead up to Helsley.
Top seed entering camp: Ryan Fernandez, RHP
Sleeper: Chris Roycroft, RHP
Bird on the Bubble: Nick Anderson, RHP
3. Utility role
The opening with the most elasticity for the decision is, fittingly, the one that requires the most versatility. The challenger for the spot, former Reds top prospect Jose Barrero, signed with the Cardinals in part because his friend Albert Pujols had played there, and he was introduced to Pujols through a former Cardinals farmhand who is as close as a brother — Ryde Rodriguez.
Barrero has established an edge defensively by proving proficient at shortstop and center field, where he appeared Saturday. Offensively, the Cardinals have asked him to adjust his approach for more contact. Seasoned utility fielder Jose Fermin is deft at making contact and providing a reliable at-bat, and Michael Helman has been sharp at second base. Marmol said he wants to see all three more often at shortstop in the closing games of camp.
Had the Cardinals been able to trade Nolan Arenado in the offseason, this spot may have been manned by prospect Thomas Saggese, who could play regularly in a utility spot. The Cardinals are more likely to prioritize everyday starts for Saggese and do that Class AAA.
Top seed entering camp: Jose Fermin, UT
Sleeper: Jose Barrero, SS/CF
Bird(s) on the Bubble: Michael Helman, UT, and Thomas Saggese, 2B/3B
4. Starting center fielder
The Cardinals began Saturday’s game against the Blue Jays with the outfield they advertised all winter long as their planned trio: Lars Nootbaar in left, Michael Siani in center, and Jordan Walker in right field and back from a knee injury. Spring has not cemented that setup.
Siani singled in his first at-bat, by the time he grounded out in the sixth inning had slipped to 3-for-34 (.088) this spring. The best glove of the group, Siani’s struggles at the plate invite the Cardinals too look for more offense from center field and an opening in left that create playing time for others. Nootbaar has been drilling with coach Jon Jay on his reads and reactions in center to make that an option, and he homered Saturday to continue a solid spring at the plate that could make that a reality for the Cardinals.
Prospect Victor Scott II had two hits in Friday night’s game, and he’s made strides defensively to greater use his speed in center. Marmol said he’s had a “phenomenal spring.” That only underscores what the Cardinals believe Scott could become with guaranteed playing time — most likely in Memphis.
“All three of them are in a different spot,” Marmol said. “Vic has done a nice job of utilizing his short game and bunting when necessary. … Siani, on the other side, has made some nice plays in center and has been searching offensively.”
This is the one where the opening day decision could be the buzzer-beater.
JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals broadcaster Chip Caray lobbed a compelling question into the conversation he and other members of the media had this past week with Tony Clark, chief executive of the Major League Baseball Players' Association.
Caray, a longtime presence on baseball broadcasts and third-generation Caray in that role, wondered what it would look like if Major League Baseball ditched geographic divisions and reimagined itself along economic lines. The divisions would be organized by market size, not region. Tampa Bay would be free from competing against the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox for a division playoff spot. The Colorado Rockies wouldn't have to keep pace with the wallets in the National League West, if they were in the Plaines Division with Kansas City.
It's one way to open up more spots in the postseason for markets that are increasingly seeing those routes erased.
Expansion is going to make such tinkering possible.
Intrigued, Best Podcast in Baseball host and ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ baseball writer Derrick Goold asked Caray to expand on his question in this brand new episode -- and much much much more.
This is the 80th year of a Caray calling baseball, and that puts their family up there with some of the longest tenured in the history of the game in any role, any level, or any capacity. And there is a fourth generation on the way. FanDuel ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ Network picked up the Cardinals' Spring Breakout game on March 14 for prospects, but the prospects won't only be on the field. Chip's son, Stefan, will join him in the booth to call the game and offer thoughts on many of the players he's seen before from calling minor-league games.
Prospects for the future of baseball, prospects for the future of playing baseball, and prospects for the future of calling baseball -- all in one 30 minute conversation under the son at the Cardinals player development complex in Jupiter.
The Best Podcast in Baseball, sponsored by Closets by Design of St. Louis, is a production of the ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ, , and Derrick Goold.
ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ
JUPITER, Fla. — Following a 10-game absence from Cardinals spring training lineups because of a left knee injury, Jordan Walker returned to Grapefruit League play Saturday with a start in right field against the Toronto Blue Jays at Roger Dean Stadium.
In his return, Walker played five innings and went hitless in two at-bats. The 22-year-old struck out twice and drew a walk in his final at-bat, the latter of which provided him an opportunity to run the bases and go from first to third base on a single to right field from Alec Burleson.
“Clear to go,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said of Walker before Saturday’s game. “We'll give him several at-bats today. He's felt pretty good. He felt good yesterday.”Â
Walker, who entered the year as the Cardinals’ projected opening day right fielder for a third consecutive season, had not been in a spring training game since exiting early from a game March 4. He jammed his knee when he stepped on a sprinkler cover while fielding a fly ball in a game against the Washington Nationals at CATCI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Imaging on Walker’s left knee later that day confirmed he avoided structural damage in his left knee. He was said to be dealing with inflammation above his knee and was expected to miss around a week of games.
Ahead of his return to the lineup, Walker went through running and hitting progressions. Some of his work has included mimicking base running, taking live at-bats on the backfields, and using his teammates’ batting practices to field live fly balls.
Cardinals outfielders Jordan Walker, center, Michael Siani, left, and Lars Nootbaar do fielding drills on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, at the team’s training facility in Jupiter, Fla.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Before he injured his left knee, Walker appeared in six Grapefruit League games and totaled 14 plate appearances. He collected two hits, including a double, produced two RBIs, and struck out eight times. One of his two RBIs came on a hard-hit sacrifice fly in a March 2 game against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium.
Walker’s return came less than two weeks before the Cardinals host the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium for opening day on March 27.Â
With the regular season nearing, Marmol said Walker will jump right back into the mix of spring and will get as many at-bats as he can “without wearing him out.”
O’Brien optioned
The Cardinals' opening-day bullpen makeup continued to take shape Saturday when right-hander Riley O’Brien was optioned to minors camp. The moves come a day after the Cardinals sent optioned righty Roddery Munoz to minor-league camp.
O’Brien, 30, pitched three scoreless innings and notched six strikeouts in three Grapefruit League appearances. O’Brien, who broke camp with the big-league club last year, had his spring paused by discomfort in his right elbow. His outing Friday against the New York Mets was his first in-game appearance since Feb. 26.
O’Brien worked around a walk and a hit to complete a scoreless inning. He touched 98.9 mph with his sinker in the outing.
The option left Chris Roycroft, Kyle Leahy, and non-roster invitee Nick Anderson as the right-handed relievers competing for a spot in the Cardinals’ opening-day bullpen with nine games — two of which are scheduled for the same day in what will be split squad action — left before St. Louis’s Grapefruit League schedule wraps.
The option set up O’Brien for a role in Class AAA Memphis’s bullpen to begin the minor league season.
Munoz’s camp impressions
In his first Cardinals camp, Munoz struck out 10 batters in seven innings. The offseason acquisition posted a 2.57 ERA in six Grapefruit League appearances.
The 24-year-old righty leaves big-league camp in line to open the year with Class AAA Memphis, where he could continue being used in multiple inning stints and receive high-leverage work.
“I like what we saw, especially in that type of a role,” Marmol said of Munoz. “It's another guy who has (velocity) but has some stuff to put you away.”
The Cardinals acquired Munoz in November, when they claimed him off waivers from the Marlins. He made 18 appearances — 17 of which were starts — and had a 6.53 ERA for Miami. Munoz began his spring training with scoreless performances in each of his first three outings.
On Friday, Munoz struck out four batters, walked one, and was charged with one unearned run in two innings against the Mets. He flashed a fastball that touched 97.2 mph and a slider that got four whiffs on five swings.
“His response to serving in that role was awesome,” Marmol said of Munoz’s flexibility in providing multiple innings of relief. “He is willing to do whatever needed in order to help the big-league team at some point, and even in talking to him yesterday at the end of the game, just a really good outlook as to how he's thinking about this.”
Extra bases
Lars Nootbaar and Alec Burleson both homered against Toronto. Burleson's homer was his second of spring. Nootbaar's was his first.
Right-hander Andre Pallante completed five innings, allowed three runs (two earned), and struck out five batters on 69 pitches in his start against Toronto. Behind him, closer Ryan Helsley completed a scoreless inning on eight pitches and left-hander JoJo Romero notched two strikeouts in a scoreless frame.
Cardinals bats combine for 16 hits and a pair of homers in win over Blue Jays
JUPITER, Fla. — A Cardinals offense that has been slow to start this spring didn’t take long to get off the ground Saturday against the Blue Jays.Â
Masyn Winn’s leadoff single sparked a two-run first inning at Roger Dean Stadium and was one of 16 hits the Cardinals combined for in a 9-5 win over Toronto. The Cardinals received multi-hit games from Lars Nootbaar (two-for-three), Willson Contreras (two-for-four), Nolan Arenado (two-for-four), Brendan Donovan (three-for-four), and Alec Burleson (two-for-three).Â
Nootbaar and Burleson each had a home run in a winning effort that marked the most runs the Cardinals have scored in a spring training game this year.
In the fourth inning, Burleson drove a 1-0 fastball from Blue Jays’ right-hander Bowden Francis 405 feet to right field to give the 26-year-old his second homer this spring. The solo shot had a 104.3 mph exit velocity behind it, per Statcast.
Two innings later, Nootbaar connected on his first homer of the spring when he sent a 1-2 sinker from righty Kevin Gowdy to left field for a solo homer.
Dononvan’s three-hit game matched the total number of Grapefruit League hits he had entering Saturday. Donovan collected singles in his first two at-bats and added a third in his final at-bat of the afternoon.
Starter Andre Pallante completed five innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks. He notched five strikeouts and got swings and misses on all four of his pitches. His sinker touched 95 mph in an outing that lowered his spring ERA from 9.00 to 6.92. The five innings represented a high this spring for the 26-year-old Pallante.
Closer Ryan Helsley, left-hander JoJo Romero, and right-hander Chris Roycroft all pitched a scoreless inning of relief for the Cardinals.
Non-roster invitee Nick Anderson surrendered two runs on two homers in his lone inning.
Cardinals coach Ryan Ludwick on managing Spring Breakout prospects
Worthy: Former top Reds prospect Jose Barrero is the best of the Cardinals' bench options
JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals broadcaster Chip Caray lobbed a compelling question into the conversation he and other members of the media had this past week with Tony Clark, chief executive of the Major League Baseball Players' Association.
Caray, a longtime presence on baseball broadcasts and third-generation Caray in that role, wondered what it would look like if Major League Baseball ditched geographic divisions and reimagined itself along economic lines. The divisions would be organized by market size, not region. Tampa Bay would be free from competing against the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox for a division playoff spot. The Colorado Rockies wouldn't have to keep pace with the wallets in the National League West, if they were in the Plaines Division with Kansas City.
It's one way to open up more spots in the postseason for markets that are increasingly seeing those routes erased.
Expansion is going to make such tinkering possible.
Intrigued, Best Podcast in Baseball host and ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ baseball writer Derrick Goold asked Caray to expand on his question in this brand new episode -- and much much much more.
This is the 80th year of a Caray calling baseball, and that puts their family up there with some of the longest tenured in the history of the game in any role, any level, or any capacity. And there is a fourth generation on the way. FanDuel ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ Network picked up the Cardinals' Spring Breakout game on March 14 for prospects, but the prospects won't only be on the field. Chip's son, Stefan, will join him in the booth to call the game and offer thoughts on many of the players he's seen before from calling minor-league games.
Prospects for the future of baseball, prospects for the future of playing baseball, and prospects for the future of calling baseball -- all in one 30 minute conversation under the son at the Cardinals player development complex in Jupiter.
The Best Podcast in Baseball, sponsored by Closets by Design of St. Louis, is a production of the ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ, , and Derrick Goold.
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Cardinals infielders Jose Barrero, right, Cesar Prieto, center, and Jeremy Rivas wait for their turn in the batting cage on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at the team’s training complex in Jupiter, Fla.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
JUPITER, Fla. — You want to talk about looking the part, well, Cardinals non-roster camp invitee and former top Cincinnati Reds prospect Jose Barrero certainly fits the bill. If you just looked at the 6-foot-4, 211-pound Barrero with no information about his background, you’d undoubtedly guess he’s an athlete.
You wouldn’t be crazy to guess he played wide receiver, easily envisioning him catching passes and accelerating away from defenders on the gridiron.
If someone said he played basketball, you’d instantly imagine him driving down the lane, elevating above the rim and throwing down a dunk on that one defender too proud not to jump in an ill-considered block attempt.
On a baseball diamond, his athleticism remains evident. The “tools” overflow from Barrero’s game. Signed as an international free agent out of Cuba in 2017, Barrero flashed above average defensive ability as a shortstop in the minors. He also displayed above average power and speed.
Putting it all together into one game-changing package? Well, that hasn’t happened. Fortunately for the Cardinals, they’re not relying on Barrero to provide a game-changing presence. They’ve been auditioning him as a potential fill-the-gaps player. Based on his ability and their needs, Barrero should head to St. Louis as a utility player with the club when they get ready to start the season.
Jose Barrero, then with the Reds, heads toward first base after softly hitting a ball that Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina chases in a game on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, at Busch Stadium.
Laurie Skrivan, Post-Dispatch
“They told me I’m here to play center field, left field, right field, shortstop,” he said. “So whatever they tell me, I’m here working every single day to help the team. That’s the most important thing.”
Barrero, 26, would give the Cardinals a legitimate backup shortstop capable of handling the position, defensively, on a regular basis. He’s also versatile enough to play all three outfield positions — including center field. He also has started big-league games at second base.
With the wealth of options available at the corner infield positions in Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman, Brendan Donovan, Willson Contreras, Alec Burleson and potentially Luken Baker, Barrero’s ability to provide middle infield depth should prove important.
At the same time, Barrero’s ability to step into any spot in the outfield allows the Cardinals flexibility. For example, if Michael Siani makes the opening-day roster and the organization prefers to send Victor Scott II to Triple-A to play every day, the club still will have a backup center fielder if Siani’s in the starting lineup alongside Lars Nootbaar.
There’s some risk that comes with rolling the dice on upside and athleticism when it’s a player you’re counting on as an everyday starter. When it comes to a bench player, why not roll the dice?
Barrero could have that eureka moment where he makes good on those previous flashes of athletic brilliance. If not, he’s still able to adequately fill multiple roles, defensively, on any given night.
In 2022, Baseball America ranked him the No. 33 overall prospect in all of Minor League Baseball. In 2023, he swatted 19 home runs and stole 20 bases at Triple-A in just 80 games.
The Cardinals have been working with Barrero on shortening his swing, being direct to the baseball on a consistent basis and not trying to hit the ball out of the ballpark. That’s been the focus of his work with new hitting coach Brant Brown.
The Reds’ Jose Barrero tumbles after scoring a run as Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina’s tag is late in the ninth inning of a game on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, at Busch Stadium.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
“Right now, line drives. Line drives. I just want to be on base,” Barrero said of his approach at the plate. “Line drives. I’m working on that.”
It stands to reason that a simple, short, compact swing will translate best to a bench role that will not include daily at-bats. The more moving parts, the more maintenance required to keep the swing in sync.
Barrero, a right-handed hitter, showed the sort of short direct swing and line-drive approach the Cardinals have been harping in a Grapefruit League game against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday at Roger Dean Stadium.
With two outs and two runners in scoring position in the fourth inning, Barrero fouled off an 0-2 pitch, scratched his way back into a 2-2 count and then lined a fastball into center field for a two-run single.
“That’s my mindset every time,” Barrero said. “Every time that we’re hitting, I’m thinking line drive, take good at-bats, and that is going to be good for me. I can help the team when I’m thinking like that.”
The single came as part of a 2-for-3 performance in the batter’s box. He also scored a run and drew a walk. Barrero started the game and played all nine innings in left field.
“That’s a really good example of taking it to heart and understanding what it needs to look like as far as just shortening up and more contact through the middle of the field and being direct,” Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said after that game. “He was adamant about making that change, which is good because he has never committed to it. You’re seeing a lot less big swings. That doesn’t mean he can’t take his shots in 3-1, 2-0, counts. But he’s very mindful about shortening up right now. It’s looked better, and I think it could be more helpful.”
There’s no doubt Barrero’s versatility also can be a big help. He currently isn’t on the 40-man roster, so the Cardinals will have to shuffle some things to clear room for him out of camp.
That could mean exposing one of their other utility player types such as Jose Fermin or Michael Helman to waivers, but being afraid they might lose one of their other utility options to another organization shouldn’t keep the Cardinals from betting on Barrero’s fit, ability and upside.
