photo: Ryan Fernandez (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
On Sunday, the St. Louis Cardinals reduced their Spring Training roster to 36 players, with seven players moving to minor league camp ahead of Monday’s day off.
St. Louis Cardinals release
The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Sunday, March 15) that the team has reduced its Spring Training roster to 36 players, with seven players moving to minor league camp.
The team optioned pitcher Ryan Fernandez to the Memphis (AAA) roster and re-assigned non-roster pitchers Luis Gastelum, Gerson Moreno and Packy Naughton, infielders Blaze Jordan and Jeremy Rivas and outfielder Matt Koperniak to minor league camp.
The Cardinals currently have 29 major league roster players and seven non-roster invitees in Major League camp.
Brian Walton’s take
For me, the most noteworthy move is Naughton, which says Justin Bruihl will be the second pen lefty (if the Cardinals open with two). Though Packy pitched better this spring, Bruihl has no minor league options.
Speaking of which, as an established major leaguer, Fernandez had to pitch his way off the roster, and he did. The right-handed reliever’s 40-man roster spot could be in jeopardy in the upcoming days.
All seven players are likely to be a part of the Opening Day roster of the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds.
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