Skip to content

Report: Cardinals not expected to pursue free-agent starter after Reyes injury

Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The St. Louis Cardinals suffered a major loss to their rotation after it was revealed Wednesday that Alex Reyes would miss the season due to Tommy John surgery.

But don't expect the club to search for help externally.

The Cardinals won't be in the market for free-agent starters, specifically Doug Fister or Jered Weaver, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Instead, the club is expected to replace Reyes internally by using several starters including Michael Wacha, Luke Weaver, Tyler Lyons, Marco Gonzales, and possibly former closer Trevor Rosenthal, who is being stretched out as a starter.

Of the group, Rosenthal and Wacha are two intriguing names.

The latter just lost his arbitration hearing and will head into 2017 looking to rebound after his worst season (5.09 ERA in 24 starts to go along with 114 strikeouts). Wacha, however, pitched better than certain numbers indicate leaving reason to be optimistic. His 3.91 FIP was significantly lower than his ERA and his fly ball rate (29.2) was a career low as he induced more ground balls.

Rosenthal, meanwhile, lost the closers job last season to Seung Hwan Oh after struggling in the first half of the season, posting a 5.40 ERA. The 26-year-old has experience as a starter, however, appearing in 48 games in the Cardinals minor-league system.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox