Steven

Matz

Matz was impressive again working as a starter. He last started a game two weeks ago and similarly worked his way to around 70 pitches, then he hopped back in the bullpen for a couple appearances, and filled in nicely here when the Cardinals needed an extra starter for their double-header. He had great command of his changeup against a right-handed heavy Reds’ lineup and forced 12 total swings-and-misses. While he’s thrived in this swing-man role, he would become at least mildly interesting if he returned to the rotation full-time.

Matz made a brief relief appearance on Saturday against the Brewers and will rejoin St. Louis’ rotation in the middle of next week. The 33-year-old lefty has occupied more of a versatile swingman-type role this season, which doesn’t translate to much fantasy value, if at all.

Matz will be available in relief over the next couple days against Atlanta. The Cardinals have an off day on Thursday that enables them to shuffle things around. The expectation is that Matz will re-join the rotation next weekend, likely against the division-rival Brewers.

Matz, who came in with a 2.31 ERA in 11 2/3 innings out of the pen, struck out five and walked none today. He’s expected to continue to start for now as part of a six-man rotation, which would put him in line to go Tuesday against the Braves. However, the Cardinals will happily trade him if anyone wants to take on the rest of his $12 million salary.

That’s when 33-year-old southpaw Steven Matz will be added to the rotation. Matz has pitched well out of the bullpen this season, posting a 1.93 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and a 5/1 K/BB ratio over 9 1/3 innings of work. Marmol also noted that Roddery Munoz is being moved to the bullpen at Triple-A Memphis with the intention that he’ll help to absorb the loss of Matz in the team’s bullpen when this change is made.

The oddity in this game was that only four pitchers participated. Matz finished the game for the Cardinals after Andre Pallante departed, and Randy Dobnak did the same for the Twins, throwing 5 1/3 innings after Bailey Ober was shelled. Matz might be good for one or two more three-inning saves while biding his time and hoping that a rotation spot opens up.

Just five of the 19 balls in play against Matz today were hit hard, and most of the contact was on the ground. It’s the first time he’s completed six innings against a major league lineup since Aug. 12, 2023. His high in seven big-league starts last season was 5 1/3 innings.

Matz allowed two hits, walked two and struck out three. He wasn’t promised a rotation spot coming into the spring, but with a 2.63 ERA after four starts, he must be close to locking one up. Andre Pallante seems to be the vulnerable Cardinals starter at this point.

All five hits Matz allowed were singles, and he walked none. He has a 3.00 ERA this spring, so what slim chance there was of the Cardinals stashing him in the bullpen should be just about gone.

Matz didn’t get any strikeouts. In fact, he generated just one missed swing on his 26 pitches. He’s expected to occupy a spot in the Cardinals’ rotation, but no one is expecting all that much from him as he finishes up his four-year, $44 million deal.