The (Almost) Final Cuts

More news was made off-the-field than on it yesterday, which is not uncommon during the spring.  After their morning meeting and the game, two players were sent down to the minors.  Matt Pagnozzi was no surprise. He had a good spring, but the Cards are set at catcher.  Chris Perez was the other, and while not a surprise, definitely worth more discussion.

You might say that Perez was a victim of the World Baseball Classic.  That's not the main reason, I don't think, but with the WBC forcing the season to start late, the normal off-days in April just aren't there.  Two weeks before one off day, two more until the next.  It's only prudent to carry a guy that can eat innings if necessary and Brad Thompson, right now, is that guy.

Not that I'm all excited about WonderBrad going north.  His numbers are trending the wrong way and I'm not sure he's all that effective in that swing role anymore.  However, Perez isn't going to go two to three innings at a time, so the situation didn't work out for him.

Having that injury made a difference as well, even though he's looked sharp coming back from it.  You wonder if the starters were routinely getting into the seventh then maybe the braintrust would have decided a long man wasn't as needed.  Since they've struggled with some pitch efficiency, though, that insurance policy was probably needed.

It'll be good for Perez to get regular work in Memphis as the closer as well and I'd guess that by mid-May he'll be back up, probably for good.  The Cards have three days off in May and while June is crowded, the starters should be up to speed by then.

On the field, the Cards pulled out a 2-1 win over the Marlins.  Another good start for Joel Pineiro, who worked into the seventh and allowed only three hits and no runs.  Could he actually be, if not this good, at least an asset to the team this year?  If he can be, that makes the Cardinals that much better.  Dennys Reyes allowed an inherited runner to score, though he did strike out two in his outing.  Kyle McClellan continued to show improvement, throwing a scoreless inning for the win.

Offensively, not much was going on.  Colby Rasmus went one-for-three and scored the winning run when Cameron Maybin overthrew the catcher in the ninth.  Khalil Greene, batting in the cleanup spot, was the only player with two hits. Greene's camp really has people excited, especially since he's not striking out much.

Today, the Cards go on their last Florida road trip.  Tomorrow they are at home, Thursday they are the "road team" against the Marlins, then the trip to Memphis before returning to St. Louis.  Today's lineup:

Schumaker 2B
Molina DH (here's the deal with that one)
Ankiel CF
Ludwick RF
Duncan 1B
Freese 3B
Rasmus LF
LaRue C
Ryan SS

Adam Wainwright makes his last start of the spring before opening the season on Monday.  Just don't expect Tony LaRussa to actually tell you that.

And don't forget to check out the UCB predictions of the NL East!