By Chris Brown / STL Baseball Today | @cbrown_STLBBT | Feb. 17, 2016, 11:50 pm CT
The latest from pitchers and catchers report day down in Jupiter, Florida…
Walden during 2015 Spring Training. By Chris Brown / STLBBT
WALDEN ‘FULLY HEALTHY,’ “EXCITED FOR FRESH YEAR”
After missing all but the first month of the 2015 season with rotator cuff and labrum damage in his throwing shoulder, Cardinals reliever Jordan Walden told Benjamin Hochman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Wednesday that he’s “fully healthy” and ready to contribute.
“I rehabbed all offseason, and have gotten up to a 40-pitch bullpen, and I’ve done about six of them,” said the 28-year-old right-hander, who was acquired in last offseason’s trade with the Braves involving Jason Heyward. “Everything feels good, I’m just excited for a fresh year.”
Walden said he’s scheduled to throw a bullpen on Friday, the second official day of camp, and is preparing to take “baby steps” after a long layoff from pitching.
NUMBER CHANGES
Brian Stull of STL Baseball Weekly reports that a few redbirds will be wearing new numbers this season: reliever Seth Maness will wear #43, first baseman/outfielder Brandon Moss switched from #21 to #37, and Tommy Pham will have #28 on his back. New Cardinals Brayan Pena and Jedd Gyorko will wear #33 and #3, respectively.
Belisle during 2015 Spring Training. By Chris Brown / STLBBT
BELISLE SIGNS MINORS DEAL WITH NATS
After wearing the birds on the bat in 2015, veteran reliever Matt Belisle could be pitching in our nation’s capital this season, as the Nationals announced on Wednesday the signing of the 35-year-old right-hander to a minor league deal with an invite to Major League Spring Training.
Plagued by elbow injuries last season, Belisle appeared in just 34 games for the Cardinals last season and ultimately ended up undergoing arthroscopic surgery in October. When healthy, the veteran of 12 big-league seasons posted a 2.67 ERA and 25/15 K/BB ratio over 33 2/3 innings.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…
RECOMMENDED READS
Brayan Pena on Yadier Molina: ‘I’m going to be like a sponge’ | Mark Saxon, ESPN
Martinez easing into spring training schedule | Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Molina Tops List Of 10 Cardinals To Watch During Spring Training | Rob Rains, STL Sports Page
At 93, Schoendienst is still going to camp | Rick Hummel, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Projections for 2016 Cardinals lineup | Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Cardinals Pitching in 2016: Can They Possibly Do It Again? | Bernie Miklasz, 101Sports.com
Siegrist adding curveball to repertoire | Jenifer Langosch, Cardinals.com
TOP TWEETS OF THE DAY
@UncleCharlie50 works out on first day of pitchers and catchers #Spring Training pic.twitter.com/ER0han9GEn
— Maurice Drummond (@MauriceDrummond) February 17, 2016
Now, it's spring training. #STLCards pic.twitter.com/EVKSUQumlT
— Jim Hayes (@TheCatOnFox) February 17, 2016
Carlos Martinez, throwing. pic.twitter.com/BWHTWroB2O
— Jenifer Langosch (@LangoschMLB) February 17, 2016
@UncleCharlie50 throwing this morning at #SpringTraining pic.twitter.com/XQnnnHxsRM
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) February 17, 2016
