By Chris Brown / STL Baseball Today | @cbrown_STLBBT | Feb. 16, 2016, 11:50 pm CT
With Cardinals pitchers and catchers slated to take to the team’s practice fields in Jupiter, Florida on Thursday during the first official workout of the spring, one thing is certain: baseball is back.
Here’s the latest developments and updates from reporting eve day…
Photo: KTVI Fox 2 on Twitter
REDBIRDS HIRE TRANSLATOR FOR OH
The Cardinals have hired 29-year-old Cincinnati native Eugene Koo to serve as a translator for new redbird reliever Sueng Hwan Oh, MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch reports. The first full-time translator the team has employed, Koo will be permitted to make mound visits with manger Mike Matheny and pitching coach Derek Lilliquist, and is responsible for making sure Oh understands all instruction. He will also serve as somewhat of a personal assistant for Oh, helping him “find his footing in America,” as Langosch writes.
“The cultural part is huge,” said the Cincinnati-born Koo. “I’m talking with Mike as much as possible, trying to get his message to Oh and vice versa.”
“I think it’s worked out already,” Matheny said. “He does a great job and speaks perfect English. He makes it very seamless to have the conversation.”
Langosch also writes that the Cardinals will soon add a Spanish-speaking interpreter to the staff in compliance with a new guideline from Major League Baseball.
By Barbara Moore / CC Image / No changes made
YADI WANTS TO BE LIFELONG CARDINAL
Set to enter his 13th season wearing the birds on the bat, Yadier Molina said he’d be just fine spending his entire career in the Gateway City.
“I would love to (finish his career) here,” the seven-time All Star told Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I love the city, I love the team, I love the organization.”
The fan favorite catcher took to social media this offseason to express his disappointment with the team’s trades of close friends Jon Jay and Tony Cruz, but told Hummel Tuesday, “It’s a business. You’ve got understand that. At the moment, I was disappointed. But I understand it.”
If the recipient of eight Gold Glove awards is able to take the field on Opening Day, something he stated as his goal on Monday following his second thumb surgery of the offseason, it will be the eleventh consecutive season he’s been behind the plate for the first game of the season. The last year he wasn’t? 2005. The Opening Day catcher? Mike Matheny.
As Fox Sports’ JP Morosi points out, if Molina is on the lineup card for the team’s season opener on April 3 in Pittsburgh, he will gain sole possession of the third-long streak at the position — with a single team — in major league history.
QUICK HITS
- Veteran left-hander and St. Louis native Mark Buehrle, who was linked to the Cardinals this offseason, has not thrown at all this offseason despite receiving one-year offers worth near $15 million, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports (theScore link). According to Heyman, the soon to be 37-year-old has yet to make a decision about potentially resuming his big-league career, and sources told him that Buehrle may not even announce his retirement, stating: “He’s told folks he entered MLB quietly, and could leave the same.”
- Right-hander Carlos Martinez, who was shut down due to a shoulder strain down the stretch last season, took part in a light bullpen session on Monday, Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch reports. Mike Matheny said the 24-year-old was throwing “at about 90 percent,” but the team has been encouraged with his progress.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…
Pitcher John Gast leaves Cardinals, retires from baseball for new profession | STL Baseball Today
Yadier Molina has cast removed, optimistic about Opening Day status | STL Baseball Today
RECOMMENDED READS
BenFred: NL Central scouting report | St. Louis Post-Dispatch
2016 Cardinals Preview: Catcher Yadier Molina | Bernie Miklasz, 101Sports.com
Oh throws for first time, complete with curious changeup | St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Projections for 2016 Cardinals rotation | Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
3 pressing questions as Cards open camp | Jenifer Langosch, Cardinals.com
TOP TWEETS OF THE DAY
From @KoltenWong: I wish we were playing the Cubs 162 times this year. It's going to be fun. The rivalry is back.
— Tim McKernan (@tmckernan) February 16, 2016
From @KoltenWong: The 1 thing I'm happy with this yr is I'm coming in w/ a new mindset. Failing's a part of it, but I know I'll be all right
— Tim McKernan (@tmckernan) February 16, 2016
More photos of Oh Seung Hwan by Newsen. Does he look ready for the season? #STLCards pic.twitter.com/7cV1hAItrS
— Daniel Kim 대니얼 김 (@DanielKimW) February 16, 2016
It all starts tomorrow. The great journey that is a baseball season. I hope you ALL know how much I appreciate you. Should be fun! #STL
— Dan McLaughlin (@DannyMacTV) February 17, 2016
