Just five days from the start of their title defense, the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals are getting closer to finalizing their roster.
The Cardinals have just one real decision left to make, needing to decide between Tony Cruz and Bryan Anderson for the backup catchers spot. Both have performed well enough this spring to make the team and the club maintains that both are still in the mix.
Rule 5 outfielder Erik Komatsu appears set to make the club as a reserve outfielder. Shane Robinson looks to be in a good position to make the team as a reserve outfielder as well, assuming that Allen Craig opens the year on the disabled list as expected. Should Craig somehow be on the roster in five days, Robinson would likely be the odd man out.
The release of Alex Cora last week paved the way for Matt Carpenter’s inclusion on the club. The versatile Carpenter, who can play first, third, left and right, will be on his first Opening Day roster as will Komatsu and Robinson.
The Cardinals five-member bench to start the year should be Carpenter, Komatsu, Robinson, Dan Descalso and the backup catcher. Skip Schumaker is out with an oblique injury and will begin the year on the disabled list.
Reliever Eduardo Sanchez was optioned to Triple-A this week and veteran Scott Linebrink was added to the 40-man roster, finalizing the Cardinals bullpen.
The seven-member bullpen will be: right-handers Jason Motte, Mitchell Boggs, Kyle McClellan, Fernando Salas and Scott Linebrink and left-handers Marc Rzepczynski and J.C. Romero.
Tyler Greene appears to have won the starting job at second base. He entered Friday’s game hitting .269 this spring but after a slow start, has hit .367 in his past 10 games. He provides an intriguing leadoff option while Rafael Furcal struggles.
Tyler Greene (2B)
Carlos Beltran (RF)
Matt Holliday (LF)
David Freese (3B)
Lance Berkman (1B)
Yadier Molina (C)
Jon Jay (CF)
Rafael Furcal (SS)
Kyle Lohse (P)
Position players (13)
Yadier Molina
Tony Cruz
Lance Berkman
Tyler Greene
Rafael Furcal
David Freese
Dan Descalso
Matt Carpenter
Matt Holliday
Jon Jay
Carlos Beltran
Erik Komatsu
Shane Robinson
Pitchers (12)
Adam Wainwright
Kyle Lohse
Jake Westbrook
Jaime Garcia
Lance Lynn
Jason Motte
Fernando Salas
Kyle McClellan
Mitchell Boggs
Scott Linebrink
J.C. Romero
Marc Rzepczynski
Disabled list
Chris Carpenter
Allen Craig
Skip Schumaker
