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Three Up, Three Down Through St. Louis Cardinals’ First Week of Spring Training

By Patrick Karraker

Feb 18, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Seung Hwan Oh (26) runs past media before taking to the practice field at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Seung Hwan Oh (26) runs past media before taking to the practice field at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Trevor Rosenthal St. Louis Cardinals
Mar 6, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal (44) throws during a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

DOWN: Trevor Rosenthal, RHP

Rosenthal has a tight grip on the closer’s job, and he’s proven himself enough over the past several years that he’ll get as much time as he needs to settle into a rhythm. With that said, his early returns haven’t been great.

Rosenthal gave up a hit and a walk in his first inning of the spring, but he managed to get out of it without giving up a run. He hasn’t experienced the same luck in his subsequent two outings, though.

On March 6 against Washington, Rosenthal labored through a 19-pitch inning, giving up two hits, walking one batter, and hitting another. He gave up two earned runs and put the Cardinals behind 4-0 in a game that they’d go on to lose 5-2. Rosenthal struggled again on Wednesday, giving up two hits and a walk while allowing two runs (one earned). At least he was efficient, though, and he required just 10 pitches to get out of the inning.

Next: Can Aledmys Diaz be the Cardinals' Savior at Shortstop?

There shouldn’t be much concern about Rosenthal yet, but considering Rosenthal’s status as the closer on a team that struggled offensively last season, the Cardinals obviously need to be confident in him by the time the regular season kicks off next month.

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