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St. Louis Cardinals Send Three Players to Minor-League Camp

By Patrick Karraker

Mar 13, 2017; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Breyvic Valera (73) scores a run against the Houston Astros during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Astros 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Breyvic Valera (73) scores a run against the Houston Astros during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Astros 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cardinals are inching closer to assembling a 25-man roster.

After an early evening victory over the Houston Astros on Monday, the St. Louis Cardinals made three roster moves, optioning infielder Breyvic Valera to Triple-A Memphis while reassigning catcher Gabriel Lino and outfielder Todd Cunningham to minor-league camp. After the moves, the Cardinals’ spring roster is down to 44 players. That number includes Zach Duke and Alex Reyes, who will begin the season on the 60-day DL as they recover from Tommy John surgery, and lefty Tyler Lyons, who may also begin the year on the disabled list as he inches back from knee surgery.

Valera is probably the player among the trio who has the best chance of seeing big-league action this season. With the Cardinals’ organizational infield depth lacking, Valera could be a guy who gets a call-up, especially if there’s a need for a versatile player on the bench. The 25-year-old can play every position besides pitcher and catcher, and he hit .304 with with a .725 OPS this spring. The only competition he may have if a spot opens up is 23-year-old Paul DeJong, but since DeJong is entering just his second full professional season and (presumably) his first at Triple-A, the Cardinals might want to keep him settled there unless he’s going to have a chance to play every day.

The 28-year-old Cunningham, a veteran of 67 major-league games, will likely be a regular starter at Triple-A Memphis this season, but his depth chart position is probably foretold by the Cardinals’ decision to send him out before any of José Martínez, Tommy Pham, Harrison Bader, Jose Adolis Garcia, or Chad Huffman. Cunningham wasn’t particularly impressive this spring, hitting .182 with a .561 OPS.

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Lino’s services were no longer needed after fellow backstop Alberto Rosario returned from the World Baseball Classic. He’s probably fifth on the organizational catching depth chart behind Yadier Molina, Eric Fryer, Carson Kelly, and Rosario, but he could begin the season at either Triple-A Memphis or Double-A Springfield. The 23-year-old got on base at a .375 clip in limited action this spring, so he at least made an impression. Considering the fact that the Cardinals used five catchers in 2015 and six in 2016, Lino actually has a rather solid chance of seeing big-league action this season.

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