Postcard from Cardinals spring training camp for Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024
Results: Cardinals 10, Mets 5
Marlins 9, Cardinals 8
Weather: 73 degrees, sunny
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – For Brendan Donovan and Dylan Carlson, there was a more important development than the actual results of their at-bats in the Cardinals’ split-squad spring training opening games on Saturday.
For both, getting back on the field for the first game was what mattered the most.
Donovan did not play after July 29 last season, undergoing surgery for a torn ligament in his right elbow. Carlson’s last game was shortly thereafter, on Aug. 9, before his season ended with surgery on his ankle.
The Cardinals are counting on both players to be healthy this season and make contributions to the team’s offense that they missed from both of them last year.
Each hit in the leadoff spot on Saturday, with Donovan getting hit by a pitch and beating out an infield single in his two plate appearances, each time coming around to score in the game against the Mets in Port St. Lucie. Carlson went 0-of-2, lining out to center field and grounding out versus the Marlins in Jupiter.
Here is how the two games on Saturday broke down:
High: Nolan Arenado had a double and single in his two at-bats in Jupiter, driving in two runs.
Low: John King, competing for a spot in the bullpen, took the loss in Jupiter after allowing four hits and three runs in his inning of relief.
At the plate: The offense combined for 18 runs and 22 hits between the two games … In Jupiter, Matt Koperniak, expected to open the season in Memphis went 3-of-3 and drove in three runs … Lars Nootbaar went 2-of-2 with an RBI and also scored a run in the game in Port St. Lucie … Thomas Saggase doubled in two runs in that game while Luken Baker also had a two-RBI day … Victor Scott II had a hit and scored twice against the Mets … Paul Goldschmidt struck out in both of his at-bats in Jupiter.
On the mound: Two of the pitchers competing for a spot on the roster, Zack Thompson and Matthew Liberatore, got the starts. Thompson worked two scoreless innings against the Mets, allowing one hit, while Liberatore gave up two hits and two runs after he should have been out of the first inning, which was extended after what should have been a strike three call … The only reliever competing for a roster spot who had a clean inning was Andre Pallante, against the Mets … Michael McGreevy allowed five hits and four runs, three earned, in two innings in Jupiter.
Worth noting: Matt Carpenter served as the DH in Jupiter and received nice ovations on each of his at-bats. He was hit by a pitch and delivered a ground-rule double before coming out of the game … Because of the split-squad games, several minor league players participating in the early spring program got in the games. Third baseman Jacob Buchberger, who played at Springfield last year, had the best day, going 2-of-2 with a double and scoring two runs in Jupiter … Outfielder Won-bin Cho drew two walks and scored a run … New bench coach Daniel Descalso was the acting manager for the game in Jupiter and took his share of good-natured ribbing from his former teammates Skip Schmaker, now the manager of the Marlins, and Jon Jay, their first-base coach … Sonny Gray will make his Cardinals debut on Tuesday, Kyle Gibson on Thursday.
Up next: The Cardinals will play the Astros on Sunday in West Palm Beach. Drew Rom is the scheduled starter and Masyn Winn is expected to make his spring debut at shortstop.
Follow Rob Rains on Twitter @RobRains
