Postcard from Cardinals spring training camp for Thursday, March 5, 2026
Result: Cardinals 3, Pirates 2
Weather: Partly cloudy, 83 degrees
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – One day after manager Oli Marmol talked about how pleased he was with the Cardinals’ starting pitching to this point in spring training, Dustin May took the mound for the first time.
There was a lot more to like.
May worked three innings in his start against the Pirates in Bradenton, allowing just one hit and a walk while also recording a strikeout.
The Cardinals signed May as a free agent over the winter and he is expected to begin the season as the team’s number two starter behind Matthew Liberatore.
Here is how Thursday’s game broke down:
High: Quinn Mathews followed May to the mound and struck out seven over 2 2/3 innings.
Low: Konnor Griffin, one of the early spring stars in Florida, was not in the lineup for the Pirates.
At the plate: Nolan Gorman hit his second home run of the spring … Masyn Winn made the bus trip across the state and was a late addition to the starting lineup, going 0-of-2 as the designated hitter … JJ Wetherholt got another hit and walked in his three trips to the plate … Catchers Pedro Pages and Jimmy Crooks each contributed an RBI single. The hit by Crooks came with two outs in the eighth inning and broke a 2-2 tie … Victor Scott II stole his second base of the spring.
On the mound: Mathews allowed a two-run homer in his final inning of work, with one of the runs unearned because of Gorman’s throwing error … Matt Svanson, Justin Bruihl and Ryan Fernandez each worked a scoreless inning.
Worth noting: The preliminary rosters for the spring breakout games were announced on Thursday. The Cardinals will play the Nationals on March 19 in Jupiter and many of the Cardinals top prospects are on the list, including pitchers Liam Doyle, Jerrangelo Cijntje and Tanner Franklin; catchers Leonardo Bernal and Rainiel Rodriguez; and shortstops Yairo Padilla and Jesus Baez. The final roster for the game will be revealed on March 18.
Up next: The Cardinals will stay on the west coast of Florida for a game on Friday against the Orioles in Sarasota. Michael McGreevy will get the start.
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