Postcard from Cardinals spring training camp for Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Result: Cardinals 4, Astros 1
Weather: Overcast, 67 degrees
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – Thomas Saggese returned to the Cardinals’ spring camp on Wednesday and immediately found himself in the lineup, starting in left field.
When you are trying to make the team and there are only a few days left in Florida, there is no time to waste.
Saggese had been away from camp since March 1 to play for team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, an absence that was extended longer than Saggese expected when Italy surprisingly advanced to the semifinals of the tournament.
“Just play hard and let the chips fall where they may,” Saggese said about the rest of the spring. “It’s kind of an interesting situation to be in. I’ve still got to make the team. Just do my very best and do what I can.”
Saggese enjoyed the experience of playing in the WBC, even though he only got 11 at-bats, playing in four of Italy’s six games. He said it was “a disappointment” that he didn’t play as much as he had expected. He had one hit and struck out five times.
The time away from camp could impact Saggese’s chances of being on the opening day roster. While he was gone, non-roster outfielder Nelson Velazquez took advantage of the extra playing time, leading the Cardinals with four home runs.
Still, Saggese said, “I don’t really regret anything. It was worth it. It was a fun experience. Now I’ve got to work hard to make the team.”
Saggese said he did get in plenty of work shagging balls in the outfield in batting practice during the WBC.
Saggese, who had just nine at-bats in the Cardinals camp before he left, got three more on Wednesday and had one of the team’s six hits.
“Our goal over the next four days or so is to get him into center field one more time,” said manager Oli Marmol. “If he needs at-bats on a day that he’s not in the lineup we can use the backfields for that.”
The other Cardinal on the Italy roster, Gordon Graceffo, pitched in two games, working two scoreless innings with four strikeouts. He is scheduled to start a bullpen game on Thursday.
Here is how Wednesday’s game broke down:
High: Tai Peete, one of the minor-leaguers acquired from the Mariners in the Brendan Donovan trade, homered to break a 1-1 tie in the eighth inning.
Low: Masyn Winn was hitless in three at-bats, striking out twice, as his spring average fell to .133.
At the plate: The first run for the Cardinals came in the third on back-to-back doubles from Nathan Church and Brody Moore. Church also drew a walk, stole a base and threw out a runner at the plate … Peete led off the eighth with the home run and Ramon Mendoza added a two-run shot later in the inning … Jordan Walker was 0-of-3 and struck out twice.
On the mound: Kyle Leahy was able to work around three hits, a walk and three wild pitches over five scoreless innings, striking out six … Ryne Stanek gave up the only run for the Astros before JoJo Romero worked a 1-2-3 inning and Matt Svanson retired all six hitters he faced in the final two innings.
Worth noting: Richard Fitts was optioned to Memphis before the game, ending the conversation about the possibility of the Cardinals opening the season with a six-man rotation. The starters will be Matthew Liberatore, Dustin May, Michael McGreevy, Andre Pallante and Leahy, with the exact order following Liberatore to be determined. Fitts will be the de facto sixth starter, filling the same role that McGreevy occupied a year ago, coming up when the Cardinals need the extra starter. “For what we need to break with I think it makes sense for him to go down and work on what he is continuing to work on and then be available for anything that’s needed,” Marmol said … Liberatore officially was named the opening day starter. “I was excited to tell him about that,” Marmol said. “He’s earned it.”
Up next: The Cardinals will host the Nationals on Thursday. The spring breakout prospects game will follow the regular game.
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