Postcard from Cardinals spring training camp for Friday, Feb. 27, 2026
Result: Mets 14, Cardinals 3
Weather: Sunny, 84 degrees
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – If learning is one of the goals of spring training, Quinn Mathews thinks his start on Friday was a step in the right direction.
“There’s a lot of things I will have to work on,” Mathews said. “I had a good talk with Libby so far (Matthew Liberatore) and I will talk to Dusty (Blake) tomorrow about it.”
Mathews’ second appearance of the spring for the Cardinals followed a relief outing, and he was not satisfied with how he warmed up for the game, which affected how the game started.
He hit the first batter he faced, then gave up a single to Juan Soto before walking the third hitter. He did recover to get out of the inning allowing only one run.
“Probably didn’t come out as well moving and honestly thinking as well as I would have liked; stuff I need to work on,” Mathews said. “Drilled the guy, sorry to him. Soto went down the line; not ideal to be first and third four pitches into the game, but I made a pitch when I needed to.
“Didn’t really settle in all day.”
After eight of his first 11 pitchers were balls, Mathews went on to pitch 2 2/3 innings, leaving the game in the second with a runner on first via a walk, then came back to pitch the third – which included being hit on his left arm, near the elbow, on a comebacker. He struck out three while allowing the one hit, two walks and the hit batter.
“Mentally I’m definitely a different guy than I was last year,” Mathews said. “That’s probably the biggest takeaway I’ve had so far. I still need to work on some stuff, fix the pre-game routine to be able to get going out of the gate … how do I get the best out of myself from pitch one.”
Here is how Friday’s game broke down:
High: JJ Wetherholt’s first hit of the spring was a home run off Devin Williams.
Low: Ten relievers combined to cover the final 6 1/3 innings and gave up 13 runs, including three home runs.
At the plate: Wetherholt’s homer off the batter’s eye in center field was estimated at 422 feet. “We were talking about it prior to the home run, his misses are what you want them to look like too as far as how he is staying through the baseball, not cutting his swing off short,” said manager Oli Marmol. “The approach has been really good.” … The Cardinals also got doubles from Thomas Saggese, Nathan Church and Chase Davis … Rainiel Rodriguez made his second appearance, this time catching, and the 19-year-old prospect struck out and walked in his two plate appearances. He also committed a throwing error … Ramon Urias made his Cardinals debut, playing second base, and was 0-of-2.
On the mound: The only reliever who got more than one out and did not allow at least one run was Ryan Fernandez with one scoreless inning … Tink Hence retired only two of the six hitters he faced, giving up three runs on three hits, one a home run, and a walk … George Soriano and Matt Pushard, a Rule 5 selection from Miami, made their first St. Louis appearances, each allowing a run, although the run off Soriano was unearned.
Worth noting: Marmol was pleased with Dustin May’s simulated game on a back field. “This early on for the velo to be where it is, and for him to feel how he’s feeling, it’s a plus for sure,” Marmol said. “I feel like he’s in a really good spot. I’m excited about the progression we have him on.” … After playing left field on Thursday and not getting a fielding chance in six innings, Saggese started in center field and caught one fly ball.
Up next: The Cardinals will be the visiting team against the Marlins on Saturday in Jupiter. Michael McGreevy will get the start.
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