Postcard from Cardinals spring training camp for Sunday, March 22, 2026
Result: Cardinals 3, Astros 2
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – It took until the final game of spring training for Jordan Walker to have something to smile about.
After getting just seven hits in 40 at-bats, all singles, coming into Sunday’s finale, Walker hit his first home run as part of a two-hit day that helped the Cardinals to the win in West Palm Beach.
The home run came one pitch after Walker successfully challenged a call on a 2-2 pitch which would have been strike three. The ABS system overturned the call, changing the count to 3-2.
It was only the second two-hit game of the spring for Walker, who struck out 15 times in his first 40 at-bats.
The Cardinals closed out the spring with a five-game winning streak and went 8-1-1 in their last 10 games.
Here is how Sunday’s game broke down:
High: Michael McGreevy allowed one run over five innings in his final spring start.
Low: The Cardinals were just 2-of-14 with runners in scoring position.
At the plate: Nathan Church doubled in one run for the Cardinals and their other run scored on a single by Jose Fermin … JJ Wetherholt hit in the leadoff spot and walked in one of his three plate appearances. He finished the spring with a .212 average … Masyn Winn walked twice but was retired in his other at-bat.
On the mound: McGreevy allowed three hits, did not walk a batter and struck out five. He finished the spring with a 2.45 ERA and only walked two batters in 18 1/3 innings … Chris Roycroft allowed his first run of the spring after working seven scoreless innings … George Soriano finished off his spring with another scoreless inning and allowed only one unearned run in his eight appearances.
Worth noting: The Cardinals did not announce any additional roster moves and will carry the extra position players through their exhibition game on Monday night in Springfield … The team has selected the 13 pitchers who will begin the season, five of whom joined the organization since the end of last season – starter Dustin May and relievers Justin Bruihl, Matt Pushard, Ryne Stanek and Soriano.
Up next: May will get the start against the Cardinals’ Double A affiliate before the team heads to St. Louis. They will have a workout on Wednesday in advance of Thursday’s season-opener.
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