JUPITER, Fla. — How deep is the Cardinals’ rotation?
Right-hander Joe Kelly, who was 9-3 with a 2.28 earned run average during the regular season last year and who was in the rotation for all three postseason rounds, might wind up in the bullpen if manager Mike Matheny chooses to go with 22-year-old Carlos Martinez as his final starter.
In his first 15 1/3 exhibition innings, Martinez gave up only two runs and eight hits and he was the first starter to go past 80 pitches when he worked 5 1/3 innings against Minnesota on March 19.
“He’s an effortless pitcher,” Matheny said. “You look out there after 80 pitches and I don’t think he’s begun to sweat yet.”
The manager also praised Martinez for improving on his curveball and changeup to make him a four-pitch pitcher.
Martinez needed only two, his fastball and slider, in relief late last season when he pitched the eighth inning in postseason play.
“Last year, we could tell (the curve) was coming out of his hand halfway through his delivery,” Matheny said. “Now everything is smooth.
“Right now, he’s focused on the competition and not things on the periphery. He’s a competitor and every time somebody jumps in the box he sees that as an opportunity to match up.”
Martinez can throw as high as 100 mph but now seems just as interested in getting ground-ball outs. He induced two, inning-ending double plays in his last outing.
“I feel like I’m doing my job,” Martinez said.
Martinez probably could have been a starter before now but he was unable to take part in the Cardinals’ big-league camp last year because of a visa problem.
NOTES, QUOTES
–OF Stephen Piscotty, a supplemental first-round pick out of Stanford in 2012, probably has made the biggest impression in camp, even though he probably will open the season in Class AAA Memphis. “He consistently puts together a really nice at-bat,” manager Mike Matheny said. “He’s very aggressive in the outfield, he throws well and he runs well. He’s got athletic instincts. You don’t see a lot of swings and misses (from him).”
–LHP Tyler Lyons, whose first two starts were one-run, seven-inning efforts last season, was sent back to Class AAA Memphis to be a starter there after failing in several spring training relief outings. His departure left the last bullpen job available for one of four pitchers — RHPs Keith Butler, Jorge Rondon and Scott McGregor and LHP Sam Freeman.
–2B Kolten Wong, after starting the spring at 0-for-10, rattled off a 13-for-23 stretch to nail down the starting second-base job. Wong’s path was made easier by the left knee ailment that sidelined veteran Mark Ellis for two weeks.
–Cuban INF Aledmys Diaz , signed to an $8 million, four-year deal, was expected to gain some big-league playing time after returning from Mexico, where he had established residency, to gain a work visa. The Cardinals intend for the 23-year-old Diaz to open the season at Class AA Springfield.
–Peter Bourjos appears to have taken the lead in the CF competition, as incumbent Jon Jay has taken three spring starts at other positions in the outfield. Bourjos batted at or near .300 for much of the spring and Jay was under .200 although hitting the ball better than that. Jay would be expected to see considerable action in Cincinnati during the first series because the Reds are likely to have at least two, if not three, right-handed starters.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Every time I walk through the clubhouse, they try and hide.” — Manager Mike Matheny, on the younger players on the Cardinals’ roster fearing they will be summoned to be told they are being sent out.
TRANASCTIONS: March 19–LHP Tyler Lyons optioned to Class AAA Memphis.