The Cardinals had been waiting to decide — or, at least, to announce — how they’d use rehabbing righty Alex Reyes upon his return. But GM Mike Girsch said today that Reyes will join the team’s rotation when he’s ready, as Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports on Twitter.
That decision, while hardly surprising, does set the stage for some further decisions. “We expect him to be in the rotation,” Girsch said of Reyes (as Mark Saxon of The Athletic tweets), “which leads to a whole bunch of other questions, which we have to answer in the next week to two.”
The current rotation mix features Miles Mikolas, Michael Wacha, Luke Weaver, Jack Flaherty, and John Gant. It certainly wouldn’t be surprising to see Gant bumped to the bullpen or back to Triple-A. Beyond that, there are some tough decisions to be made. Weaver carries only a 4.37 ERA, but that’s still a solid output and he has arguably been a bit better than the results. Flaherty is the more recent addition to the MLB rotation, but he has been excellent through four starts (2.31 ERA with 10.4 K/9 against 2.7 BB/9).
Of course, Reyes isn’t the only pitcher making his way back to the majors. Girsch provided some other updates, as MLB.com’s Joe Trezza reports (links to Twitter). Carlos Martinez is only just beginning to throw, meaning he probably won’t be back until June — and likely not at the earlier portion of the month. Veteran Adam Wainwright, meanwhile, is still being looked over closely. Since he has already gone on the 60-day DL, he won’t be back for some time.
Several relievers are also among the moving parts. Lefty Tyler Lyons is expected to be back in short order, though righty Dominic Leone does not appear to be making much progress from the nerve issue that has kept him out. (There’s no update yet on Luke Gregerson, who only recently went on the DL with a shoulder issue.)
At the end of the day, a slight pitching pile-up is a good problem to have for the Cards, who are engaged in what looks likely to be a year-long battle in a tough NL Central. While there are other strong options, particularly once Martinez is back, the hard-throwing Reyes could be an ace in the hole. He certainly seems ready to pick up where he left off when he headed in for Tommy John surgery last spring. The 23-year-old, who posted a 1.57 ERA in his first 46 MLB innings, has allowed just six hits in 16 scoreless rehab outings thus far in 2018, while racking up 31 strikeouts against six walks in 16 innings.
Cannot wait for the tantalizing commentary by Themed on this topic. Cant wait.
“Cannot wait for the tantalizing commentary by Themed on this topic. Can’t wait.”
Although your comment is literally true—you obviously couldn’t wait—it’s really bad form to call someone out in a thread they have yet to participate in. Even if you are eventually proven correct. At least have the stones to troll him to his face. Bad job, 3rdStrikeLooking.
The enforcer of internet etiquette has spoken.
Not sure anyone is listening though.
“The enforcer of internet etiquette has spoken.”
“Enforcer”? I’m not in a position to enforce anything here. Just another user expressing his thoughts; can’t do squat to anyone other than get in their face and highlight the error of their ways. Shoot, I don’t even rate comments.
“Not sure anyone is listening though.”
Then you’re really not paying attention yourself, Cam. There are a number of things I’ve pushed which have caught on. Not talking about opinions but process, how we go about discussing/arguing things here. It’s an ongoing choice we make and I have successfully advocated for items as diverse as including a link to a player’s bb-ref page when he is first mentioned to quoting that portion of someone else’s comment you are responding to. Nothing dramatic but gradually elevating the level of discussion.
Really, one of these days this site will have a page where each of us can go to find our previous comments all together. When that happens it will be easy—albeit time consuming—to demonstrate this impact. But do take your (equally) impotent shot at me anyway. Cheers.
Can all three of you shut up and just enjoy baseball 🙂
Where is pinhead?
Do you want a clap on the back or what? It’s just a baseball blog ! Don’t you have anything else in your life to validate your huge ego? But good job! Here’s a cookie!
Blue Jays please trade Donaldson for Reyes!
Reds please trade Adam Duvall for Reyes!
Thats even funnier.
Jmac… Tell me this isn’t the same one as from the GM Game.
White Sox please trade James Shields for Reyes.
You’re an idiot
Now that’s Funny!! Reyes isn’t moving any where for anybody unless his name is Trout or Judge. Too much Reyes hype over the last few years for the Cards not to bring him back as a starter until he proves he just can’t be a starter. Which at this point, I don’t see happening. If anyone is traded from the staff right now, it’ll be Wacha. He has the best name recognition.
Reyes, Pham, Hicks, O’Niell, and Weaver for Trout. Yay of Nah?
Lol never going to happen. Reyes for a rental?!?! Are you crazy?
HAHAHAHAHAHA !!!
Lmao that’s a funny joke
Reyes looked good starting in last outing.. should boost rotation
I count 6 that should be in the rotation:
Martinez
Wacha
Mikolas
Weaver
Reyes
Flaherty
Lol not to mention that they have Gomber, Hudson and others pushing…imo the cardinals have the best rotation in the central..sorry cubbies
Your opinion will, without a doubt, have a major impact on the standings
The Cards have far more depth, but that won’t matter till at least next year. Cubs have had extraordinary luck at lack of injuries the last three years for starting pitchers. Far far less than average, but that’s part of the game.
They do need to keep the left hander. In the near future, should they make the playoffs, having a lefthander starter would be the man to have against a predominantly lefthander hitting opponent.
If the BoSox want to eat some of that David Price contract, I wouldnt be opposed of them making a trade. I think Price would dominate in the NL. Especially in STL.
It’s on record that price wanted to be a cardinal but the Red Sox said they would beat any offer by 30 million (how stupid) and they did…if the Red Sox eat most of that contract I totally agree it would be a nice fit…unfortunately the cardinals have outstanding pitching depth and the rotation is already full
nice to have depth …and if Holland can turn it around their bullpen will be deep too!
It’s going to take Holland until the All-Star break to be the dependable Greg Holland that throws strikes. Also, by the end of the year, after he has more strike outs than walks, I think you’ll see Norris as the set up man and Hicks as the closer.
Better for him to have a great 2nd half than a dreadful 1st half.
well no shiz
This is off topic but what’s going to happen to Fowler if O’Neil keeps playing like this? I don’t want to see Fowler go
He has a no trade clause, he’s not going anywhere
good to hear 🙂 ty!
Fowler is no higher than the Cards 5th best outfielder. If you can’t trade or demote him, sit him.
Sadly correct. Ozuna will hit free agency this year, and Pham is likely to piss the FO off enough to trade him, opening up a spot for O’Neill.
Ozuna doesn’t hit free agency next year…the Cardinals have him one more year after this
You’re right — he’s arb eligible, not a FA.
Cards fans dont want to hear this but they could think about trying Pham while his stock is extremely high and cheap. He is a great play but on the wrong side of 30 and who knows when his eye deal will come back into play.
I thought about this but really why should they…even if Pham goes down we have Bader and O’Neil not to mention 3 other prospects that could take his place…so why not ride it out and see what he can do…they control him for 4 years
O’Neil will be lucky to be up in a month. He will strike out a ton and his power will be marginal. He may end up in trade package.
Not only does he have a no trade clause but no club would take on his contract stl stuck with him unless both things happen 1. Stl eats his contract and 2. he approves the trade. That isn’t going to happen. Most likely they keep him for insurance because Pham will cost a bundle next year and I don’t see stl paying that price.
The Cardinals still has 4 years of control over Pham
Just saw that…. he’s arbitration eligible til 2021…. my bad. Misread cot’s
Pham’s timing is off right now. You may see more of Bader in center until Pham rights his on ship awaits digging at that low and outside pitch of which he use to lay off from.
He has an OPS over 900. He’s not getting benched over bader. Are you delusional
With the likes of Wacha, Weaver, Flaherty, Martinez, and Reyes, IF they can ALL stay healthy, the Brewers, the Pirates, and the Cubbies better WATCH OUT!!
Those five could potentially not only put the NL Central on notice, but they very well could put the whole National League on notice..
Everyone can see the arm talent with Wacha and Weaver, Flaherty has been nothing short of ridiculous since coming up, and we all know Martinez and Reyes are both capable of carrying a staff as legit aces!!
This potential rotation is what Mets fans were hoping for when they had Harvey, DeGrom, Syndergaard, Wheeler, Matz, and even big sexy Bartolo!! lol
Even so, I’d argue that the Cardinals potential rotation of Martinez, Reyes, Flaherty, Wacha, and Weaver very well could even surpass the expectations of the Mets former top 5..
Not only that, but, unlike the Mets, the Cardinals also have some solid depth in case one or more of these talented starters go down..
If an injury occurs, they still have ML ready and experienced starters in Mikolas and Gant, along with potentially Wainwright when he gets healthy..
Alongside those three, the Cardinals EVEN STILL have a couple of talented minor leaguers in Dakota Hudson and Ryan Helsley..Austin Gomber and Conner Greene are potentially two more candidates that could get the call if a couple of injuries occur to the Cardinals starters..Gomber and Greene are lesser known, yet still very talented pitching prospects. Hudson and Helsley would definitely get the call before either of Greene or Gomber, but either could still fill in admirably as a team’s #5 starter..especially if they just need a spot start or two..
All in all with talents like Wacha, Weaver, Flaherty, Martinez, Reyes, Helsley, Hudson, Greene, and Gomber..The Cardinals are going to remain one of the top teams in the NL for the foreseeable future..
Also, IF Martinez, Reyes, and Flaherty can all three stay healthy come playoff time, I would NOT bet against the Cards in any series, regardless who they’re matched up against!! That’s a FILTHY #’s 1 through 3, and I certainly wouldn’t want my team to have to face, much less try to beat, those guys in a series!!
Congrats Cards fans on the bright future, and for competition sake, I certainly hope all your starters are able to stay healthy..It would be a terrible loss for baseball in general to see another potential dominant staff go down due to injuries..
How many pitchers do the cubs have waiting in the wings?
Not any near ready in the minors !
As a Cardinal fan, I couldn’t agree with you more. Our young collection of talent is impressive and could be deadly if it all pans out well.
I recall hearing something similar when we had Garcia, Gonzales, Wacha, Lynn and Martinez all ready to back up Wainwright. I’ll need to see these guys perform well before believing it.
Did you see Mikolas pitch tonight or any time this year? He is not leaving the rotation any time soon……..Thanks for the kind words for the Cards. prospects.
Absolutely correct! The current rotation is going to be hard to break through. Even for the starters currently on the DL.
I agree but I don’t know why you put Wacha in the Rotation over Mikolas…Wacha has one more year of control and Mikolas has another year of control…rotation next year should be Martinez, Reyes, Flaberty, mikolas, and Weaver…I think Wacha should go to the bullpen as he really struggles getting through the batting order a second and third time
He’s been pretty good this year
I had thought that, too, earlier in the season but he has been impressive so far. This is a good problem to have.
The Cards have quite a few decent pitching prospects in their top 10 minors system
and also a few position players that are almost major-league ready as well. The future looks right in St. Louis for the next 10 years! Go Cards!