The Cardinals are moving southpaw Steven Matz back to the bullpen, as manager Oli Marmol told reporters including Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat. The move may not be permanent, as Jones notes that Marmol described the move as “for the time being,” and added that Marmol made clear that the plan is for Matz to remain stretched out and able to step back into the rotation as needed in the future. The Cardinals have four days off in May, which makes running out a six-man rotation difficult and was the primary reason that Matz began the season in the bullpen before moving into the rotation just over two weeks ago.
Temporary as the move back into a relief role may prove to be, it still has to be a frustrating turn of events for the soon-to-be 34-year-old veteran. It’s impossible to argue that the role change is performance related, as Matz boasts a tidy 1.50 ERA on the season with a 1.89 FIP overall. His work in the rotation has been even better, as in two starts he’s struck out 11 of the 34 batters he’s faced while allowing just one run and zero walks in a combined nine innings of work. Meanwhile, both Erick Fedde and Miles Mikolas have posted below-average numbers by ERA+ across each of their six starts.
With that being said, the move does make some sense. After all, Matz is no stranger to having his role changed in the season. 2025 is the southpaw’s fourth season in St. Louis, and all four of them have seen Matz both start games and pitch in relief. It’s been a tumultuous tenure in St. Louis; while the lefty sports a 4.15 ERA and 3.78 FIP overall that paint him as a fairly typical mid-to-back of the rotation arm, two of his four years with the Cardinals have seen Matz pitch less than 50 innings due to injuries while his ERA ballooned over 5.00. Between Matz’s uneven performances over the years and his experience pitching in relief, it’s hard to deny that there’s logic in moving him to the bullpen rather than a player like Mikolas who last pitched in relief as a major leaguer back in 2013.
Regardless of the role Matz pitches in going forward, he figures to be one of the more coveted arms available at the deadline if the Cardinals can’t turn things around after a 14-19 start and the lefty continues to pitch at anything close to the level he’s performed at this year. Pitching of all sorts is highly desirable on the trade market come the summertime, and contending clubs like the Yankees, Mets, and Rangers already have clear needs that a player like Matz could complement perfectly. The veteran is in his final season under team control, meaning the Cardinals would have little reason to hang onto him if they aren’t in contention come July, and if he can stay stretched out until trade season Matz’s role flexibility could actually make him more valuable on the trade market by keeping teams in need of both rotation help and bullpen help interested in his services.
Matz to the Mets? Seems like it’d solve a problem for both teams. Mets get that LHP for the pen, and Cardinals cut salary and maybe get a low-tier prospect.
Matz for Jett Williams and Jonah tong would be fair for both teams. Matz would instantly become the best reliever in the Mets bullpen and cardinals get back a couple decent prospects.
What kind of crack are you on?
“Matz for Jett Williams and Jonah tong”
There is a 0.0% chance the Mets would trade either of these guys for Matz, much less both of them.
Cards need to trade anyone making a large salary they can by the deadline. Play the kids and acknowledge they’ve dug themselves a massive organizational hole that will take a few seasons to dig out of.
Matz is the kind of pitcher that Toronto should be after. A guy that can slide right into the rotation and can move to the bullpen later in a long man role if needed. Not to mention he had a good year when he was there in ’21.
Weird to see the rangers listed as needing pitching help. Our pitching is some of the best in the league right now. Unless Matz can swing a bat then he doesn’t offer much to the rangers.
So we keep two floundering starters in the rotation and demote one of the better performers on the roster. Keep him in the rotation even if you plan to trade him.
Matz will never be back to the Mets because of how his agent used Cohen and went back on his word when he signed with St. Louis. You don’t make the wealthiest owner in baseball look bad and not have consequences.
Who will accuse the Cardinals of having a good manager? Erick Fedde isn’t doing very well nor is Andre Pallante pitching like a superstar but, what do I know?