Although Opening Day for the Cardinals is not until Sunday, it now appears that the Cardinals have decided on the 25-man roster that will head north this weekend to kick off the season against ace Jon Lester, manager Joe Maddon and the new-look Chicago Cubs on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.
Assuming no additional injuries, the redbirds will open the season with this 25-man roster:
Starting Pitchers (5): Adam Wainwright, Lance Lynn, John Lackey, Michael Wacha, Carlos Martinez
Relievers (7): Trevor Rosenthal, Jordan Walden, Seth Maness, Kevin Siegrist, Matt Belisle, Randy Choate, Carlos Villanueva
Catchers (2): Yadier Molina, Tony Cruz
Infielders (6): Matt Adams, Mark Reynolds, Kolten Wong, Jhonny Peralta, Matt Carpenter, Pete Kozma
Outfielders (5): Matt Holliday, Jon Jay, Jason Heyward, Peter Bourjos, Randal Grichuk
News & Notes/Observations:
- Martinez named 5th SP, Gonzales to AAA: Following the shutdown of starter Jaime Garcia due to renewed shoulder soreness, Mike Matheny announced Monday that Carlos Martinez would serve as the club’s fifth starter to begin the season, while Marco Gonzales, who also had an impressive spring, would return to AAA Memphis to serve as the staff ace and valuable big-league depth. Martinez’s first start will in Cincinnati against the Reds on Saturday, April 11th. Read more: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals.com
- Villanueva makes ‘pen: Matheny also confirmed to reporters Monday that Carlos Villanueva, who signed a minor-league deal with the club this offseason, has made the team to serve as a long-man out of the bullpen. The 31-year-old, who pitched for the Cubs the last two seasons, has allowed six runs over eleven Grapefruit League innings but also struck out eleven batters. Read more: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals.com
- Kozma and Grichuk nab final bench spots: Matheny told reporters on Tuesday that infielder Pete Kozma and outfielder Randal Grichuk have been informed that they’ve made the big league roster as the final two bench players, joining backup catcher Tony Cruz, corner infielder Mark Reynolds, and speedy outfielder Peter Bourjos. The Cards skipper had high praise for Grichuk, who was the most questionable to make the roster, telling Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com: “Watching what he’s done this spring, I just couldn’t imagine leaving here without him on our club.” Matheny also added to Tom Ackerman of KMOX that, “There’s no doubt he (Grichuk) can play center field.” As for Kozma, Matheny said the 26-year-old, who is out of minor league options, can play a very good second base, third base, and shortstop. Kozma was hitting .429 heading into Tuesday, good for the fifth-best average in Major League Baseball.
- All right-handed bench:
Stay tuned for more…
