photo: Johan Oviedo (Jim Rassol/USA TODAY Sports)
St. Louis Cardinals press release
The St. Louis Cardinals announced this afternoon (Monday, March 28) that they have optioned pitchers Junior Fernandez, Johan Oviedo and Freddy Pacheco to the Memphis (AAA) roster. The moves leave the Cardinals Spring Training Roster at 49 players, including 16 active pitchers.
Brian Walton’s take
With the fifth spot in the rotation open due to Jack Flaherty’s injury, Oviedo fell out of the derby earlier than I expected. He did not pitch poorly, with a 3.86 spring ERA and an opposing batting average of .222. How and in what role Oviedo might return to St. Louis is unclear.
Fernandez threw 2 1/3 innings this spring with no runs yielded on two hits, two walks and two strikeouts. The arrival of more veteran bullpen members as free agent signings seems to have bumped Fernandez off the roster. Junior has one more year of minor league options remaining.
Pacheco is the only one of the three without MLB experience and while an intriguing prospect, he needs more seasoning in the minors. This spring, Pacheco allowed two runs, one earned on three hits in two innings.
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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