Three Up, Three Down Through St. Louis Cardinals’ First Week of Spring Training
![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](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b99ae7a2c027331a777f8c098513ea23a6591e7c3be826ed371f418a1c5c657c.jpg)
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.