The Cardinals solidified the rotation for 2013 by agreeing to a contract extension with starter Jake Westbrook. The extension replaces the 2013 mutual option, that would have been worth $8.5 million. Now Westbrook will earn $8.75 million next season with a $9.5 million mutual option (a $1 million buyout) for 2014.
Westbrook is 12-9 with a 3.50 ERA through 24 starts. His 16 quality starts rank second on the staff behind only Kyle Lohse. The 34 year old Westbrook leads the NL in ground-ball percentage (73.3) and double plays (22).
AUDIO Jake Westbrook and John Mozeliak on the contract extension (1:10)
First baseman Lance Berkman will begin a minor league rehab assignment at Class Triple-A Memphis, instead of Wednesday. Berkman says the delay has to coincide with the Redbirds homestand and it has nothing to do with a setback with his sore right knee.
Carlos Beltran sat out Tuesday night’s game with what manager Mike Matheny described as a hand injury.