photo: Matthew Liberatore (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
St. Louis Cardinals press release
The St. Louis Cardinals announced following today’s game that they have re-assigned left-handed pitcher Matthew Liberatore and right-handed pitcher Blake Parker to the minors.
Today’s moves reduce the Cardinals Spring Training camp roster to 34 players.
Brian Walton’s take
Liberatore had an uneven outing to finish Friday’s game, but in reality, his reassignment at this time was more expected than MLB veteran Parker’s.
Liberatore is a starter and that is what he will do in Memphis, but he isn’t ready for that role with St. Louis – yet. In my estimation, Jake Woodford should be ahead of Drew VerHagen for the rotation spot opened by the injury to Jack Flaherty, though both should make the team.
In the derby for what may be the last spot in the bullpen, the chances of rookie Jake Walsh making the team may have increased with the reassignment of Parker. This assumes the Cardinals will open the season with 15 pitchers.
However, one should also not forget that lefty Connor Thomas and right-hander Andre Pallante also remain in camp. Unlike this pair of non-roster invitees, Walsh has a 40-man roster spot, making it easier for him from a roster management perspective.
Just three more Grapefruit League games remain for all the players still in camp to make their final cases.
Footnotes
For those wondering how the Cardinals got from 37 players in camp to 34 by the above moves, the team also optioned catcher Ivan Herrera to the minor leagues following Thursday night’s game.
Herrera and Ali Sanchez (who was optioned out on Thursday) should share the catching duties at Memphis, with third catcher Clint Coulter likely serving as a utility player as he did in 2021.
The Cardinals also made another minor league release, effective on March 31. After being invited to big-league camp in 2021, Warner was passed over this spring. Perhaps that is a factor in his readiness to try his luck in another organization.
Warner first joined the organization in June 2017 when his contract was acquired from River City of the independent Frontier League. He was The Cardinal Nation’s Memphis Relief Pitcher of the Year in 2021.
Thankful for the opportunity given to me these last 5 seasons by the @Cardinals, and thankful that I was granted my release. Excited for what’s to come! https://t.co/hsLeu477Zm
— Austin Warner (@AustinWarner_) April 1, 2022
For more
To see all players remaining in camp by position, check out the always-free Roster Matrix here at The Cardinal Nation.
St. Louis Cardinals Organization Roster Matrix – 2022 Spring Training
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