The Cardinals beat the Marlins 6-3 in the final spring game in Florida. Todd Wellemeyer pitched five innings, allowing all three runs to score. The team will now head to Memphis for two more games. When the team leaves, they’ll be leaving third basemen Joe Mather behind.
Tony LaRussa made his final roster cuts and has the 25 man roster set. Making the trip to St. Louis will be outfielder Colby Rasmus and infielders Brian Barden, Brendan Ryan and Joe Thurston. Joe Mather who fell into a horrible slump, lost on the on the third base job to David Freese.
Mather was the front runner to take over for Troy Glaus at third base, but he went into a horrible hitting skid that included a 1 for 19 slump. In the meantime, Freese bounced back from an Achilles tendon injury and got hot at the plate winning the job.
LaRussa like Mather and said he just needs to work his swing out. I think it will be one of those situations where if Freese (who was acquired in a trade with San Diego for Jim Edmonds) struggles, they could call up Mather. Glaus will be out until June as he rehabs from shoulder surgery.
Cardinals opening day roster:
Yadier Molina
Jason LaRue
Albert Pujols
Skip Schumaker
Khalil Greene
David Freese
Chris Duncan
Rick Ankiel
Ryan Ludwick
Brian Barden
Colby Rasmus
Brendan Ryan
Joe Thurston
Adam Wainwright
Kyle Lohse
Todd Wellemeyer
Chris Carpenter
Joel Pineiro
Ryan Franklin
Josh Kinney
Kyle McClellan
Trever Miller
Jason Motte
Dennys Reyes
Brad Thompson
