Postcard from Cardinals spring training camp for Friday, March 20, 2026
Result: Cardinals 4, Mets 3
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – Matthew Liberatore is ready for opening day.
The Cardinals’ lefthander had his final tune-up before his start against the Tampa Bay Rays in Friday’s game against the Mets and tossed five scoreless innings in Port St. Lucie.
Liberatore walked the first batter he faced, then retired 13 batters in a row before giving up a two-out single in the fifth. Liberatore struck out five.
He finished the spring with a 1.80 ERA and struck out 24 batters in 18 1/3 innings with only two walks in his five spring starts. He also made one start in a minor-league game.
The opening day start on March 26 at Busch Stadium will be the first opening start in Liberatore’s career. He will be the first lefthander to start for the Cardinals on opening day since Donovan Osborne in 1999.
Here is how Friday’s game broke down:
High: Ivan Herrera hit his first home run of the spring, a two-run shot.
Low: The Cardinals almost blew a 4-0 lead when the Mets scored three runs in the eighth but held on for the victory.
At the plate: Ramon Urias also hit his first homer, a solo shot in the first inning, before Herrera’s homer in a three-run fifth … That inning also included a sacrifice fly from JJ Wetherholt, who also had a single in three at-bats while hitting in the leadoff spot … Jordan Walker had a single in three at-bats … The Cardinals had only one at-bat with a runner in scoring position.
On the mound: Justin Bruihl, expected to be the second lefthander in the bullpen, worked a scoreless inning in relief of Liberatore, pitching around a hit and a walk … Minor-leaguer Gerson Moreno walked three batters in just two-thirds of an inning and all came around to score in the eighth inning … Prospect Luis Gastelum issued a walk and recorded a strikeout in earning the save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Worth noting: The Cardinals still have 35 players in their major-league camp and need to get down to 26 before opening day. In order to possibly add non-roster players Wetherholt and Nelson Velazquez, they will have to make two moves to open spots on the 40-man roster.
Up next: The Cardinals have two games left in Florida before breaking camp, including Saturday’s game against the Marlins in Jupiter.
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