The Cardinals have activated righty Michael Wacha today, MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch tweets. While that represents a welcome return, he will not slot into his accustomed spot in the rotation. After missing over a month with shoulder issues, there simply isn’t time for him to build up to a full workload.
[Related: Updated Cardinals Depth Chart]
When Wacha moves into the pen, he may soon find company from another starting stalwart. According to ESPN.com’s Mark Saxon, St. Louis is still undecided whether to allow Jaime Garcia to take the ball when he is next scheduled. The 30-year-old lefty has struggled to a 4.65 ERA over 164 2/3 innings on the year, and has been hit hard particularly of late.
Instead, the Cards may turn to young righty Alex Reyes, who continues to impress in multiple roles. Whether functioning as a single-inning reliever, starting, or taking a long relief role, Reyes has racked up the strikeouts (34 in 28 innings) and kept runs off the board (1.29 ERA). After opening the year with a suspension for marijuana use, Reyes has still yet to hit 100 frames — a fair bit shy of his prior career-high of 116 1/3. While he also threw in extended spring training, St. Louis ought to have some flexibility in utilizing him without concern of over-use.
Though the team certainly faces some tough decisions, it seems at least two starters will end up in the pen. That could come in handy down the stretch and (the team hopes) in the postseason, giving skipper Mike Matheny the ability to piggyback starters, get multiple quality relief innings, and generally stay flexible in managing his pitchers’ workloads.
Regarding Garcia, it’s tempting to wonder whether a potential move out of the rotation could be the beginning of the end of his time with the Cardinals. His $12MM club option isn’t exactly a slam dunk given his rough year and past injury issues, though a barren market for starting pitching likely makes that a reasonable value. Even if it is picked up, St. Louis could conceivably market the talented lefty.
Hahaha, duty
Why is this funny?
Caddyshack reference, I believe.
Ah. See, I never was introduced to that line of eighties comedy as a kid, because I didn’t have an older sibling. Perhaps I never absorbed that particular potty reference.
:)
A real stick in the duty, aren’tcha.
if they do pick up Garcia’s option, they better trade him.
Exactly.
Reyes also has 16 walks and 3 wild pitches in those 28 innings. I am sensing some major regression w/that era.
Bob Gibson was wild when he first came up too. He will get better in time with his command.
He hasn’t really improved on his walk numbers throughout his professional career so far, but it is a bit early to assume he can’t improve on those numbers. Also a bit early to compare him to Bob Gibson imo, but we’ll see.
Except he doesn’t give up hits. Even with his control issues, his whip is lower than the other Cardinals starters.
Please take Jaime out. I know Reyes has control issues, but considering how he’s kept that ERA low, gets strikeouts, and usually gets out of the trouble he encounters when giving up walks, I trust him more than Garcia.
Nice to see both Weaver and Reyes in the rotation. Always love young blood moving up whenever possible.
The 2017 rotation is going to be very, very interesting. Very interested to see how Mo and Matheny handles it.
You have to pencil in 4 right now for 2017: Adam Wainwright, current ace Carlos Martinez, Michael Wacha and Mike Leake.
You also have a returning Lance Lynn battling it out with Alex Reyes for the last rotation spot.
Luke Weaver has also impressed, though one would think he’ll go to Memphis to start next season. You’ll also have (hopefully) a healthy Tim Cooney, Tyler Lyons and Marco Gonzalez in the mix, as well.
And of course Jaime Garcia, who I believe will be sent packing, trade or otherwise.
I was SURPRISED MM took Garcia out after 1 1/2 innings!! He and Lilliquist usually leave him, Leake, and Wainwright in the game to at least give up 5 runs and the game when they are going bad. Especially if those runs are given up in the first 2 innings. Goes with his heart for his friends rather than trying to stay in the games.
It was a nice surprise to see Matheny do something different by yanking a pitcher early who obviously has nothing left. Garcia is a head case who is obviously hurt again. Please Mo, DO NOT pick up his option, let him take his “amazing stuff” to another team, we don’t need him at all. Still waiting for Matheny to out manage another manager in any way. The next time will be the first time. Poor guy obviously can’t remember anything he learned while playing all those years, damn concussions…..
I won’t miss Garcia rubbing the dirt before every pitch next year when he is NOT pitching for the cardinals.