Cardinals’ Bullpen Outlook Becomes Clearer After Phil Maton Signing

The picture of the St. Louis Cardinals bullpen for Opening Day is beginning to take shape. Throughout spring training, the bullpen has been one of the most contested areas of the roster. After losing Andrew Kittredge and choosing not to bring back Keynan Middleton, several spots were left open for competition.

Even just a day ago, the bullpen situation appeared unsettled. However, with the recent signing of Phil Maton and remarks from president of baseball operations, John Mozeliak, we now have a clearer sense of what the bullpen may look like on Opening Day.

Maton’s signing has helped solidify six of the eight bullpen spots. Ryan Helsley, Ryan Fernandez, JoJo Romero, and John King seem to be secure selections for the group, and Mozeliak confirmed that Matthew Liberatore would start the season in the bullpen, despite his strong spring performance pushing him toward a rotation role.

The final two spots are still up for grabs, with Gordon Graceffo, Nick Anderson, Roddery Munoz, Riley O’Brien, and Chris Roycroft vying for those spots. Michael McGreevy will stay a starter, likely beginning the year with the Memphis Redbirds until a spot opens up. Tekoah Roby, who impressed in camp, is expected to begin the season in the minors as well.

So, who will claim those last two spots? We have a clearer idea now.

Cardinals’ Opening Day Bullpen Looks Set

Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch asked Mozeliak about Gordon Graceffo’s role following Maton’s signing. While Mozeliak didn’t confirm Graceffo’s role, he suggested the Cardinals wanted him to start games if sent to Triple-A and could eventually return as a bullpen option. Later that day, the team optioned Graceffo to Memphis, opting for this path.

This move signals how the Cardinals view both their starting rotation and bullpen mix. The decision to send Graceffo to Memphis for starting duties speaks to their confidence in their rotation depth, as well as their need for dependable bullpen options in Memphis. Depending on how things play out, Graceffo could be recalled later in the season, either for the bullpen or the rotation. Mozeliak also did not rule out the possibility of Liberatore starting games at some point, indicating that a bullpen role on Opening Day does not necessarily preclude him from that.

Another factor to consider is Nick Anderson’s status. While the Cardinals seem to like Anderson, he is not yet on the 40-man roster and would need to be added. His contract includes a clause allowing him to leave if another team offers him an MLB role that the Cardinals do not. The signing of Maton could signal the Cardinals’ preparation for Anderson’s departure, but it’s likely they’ll retain him, especially with Zack Thompson now sidelined for a few months. The team could place Thompson on the 60-day IL before Opening Day to open a spot for Anderson.

If Anderson struggles, the team can pivot to one of their younger options. But for now, the signing gives the Cardinals flexibility with more potential arms available throughout the season.

For the final bullpen spot, Kyle Leahy is a likely candidate, though O’Brien or Roycroft could also earn the spot. Leahy’s ability to cover multiple innings could be an asset, and the team may value that trait in the eighth bullpen slot.

Here’s what the bullpen could look like on Opening Day:

RHP Ryan Helsley

RHP Ryan Fernandez

LHP JoJo Romero

RHP Phil Maton

LHP Matthew Liberatore

LHP John King

RHP Nick Anderson

RHP Kyle Leahy

This is a strong and deep bullpen, especially considering the loss of Kittredge. While it’s unlikely this will be the same group for the entire season, this setup provides the Cardinals with a solid foundation and the flexibility to make adjustments as needed throughout the year.