Calf Soreness Slows O’Brien’s Spring Build-Up in Jupiter

Calf Soreness Slows O’Brien’s Spring Build-Up in Jupiter

Spring training is built on routine. Throw, recover, build up, repeat. So when word filters out of Jupiter that the projected closer is dealing with calf soreness, it naturally turns a few heads.

Riley O'Brien entered camp as the front-runner to reclaim the ninth inning after quietly stabilizing the bullpen last season. Following the trade-deadline reshuffling, he didn’t blink. Six saves. A 2.06 ERA. More than the numbers, it was the demeanor. He attacked hitters. He worked with pace. He looked like a man comfortable with the ball in the final frame.

Now comes a pause.

Calf soreness is not an arm issue — and that matters. But for a pitcher, the lower half is the engine. Drive off the rubber, balance through delivery, a firm landing leg — everything begins from the ground up. Even minor tightness can affect timing and command if not handled carefully.

Manager Oli Marmol indicated the club expects more clarity soon. That’s typical February language — evaluation mode, not alarm mode.

There’s also the World Baseball Classic angle. O’Brien had been set to represent Team Korea in Tokyo in early March. High-leverage innings in early March are meaningful, but the Cardinals’ priority will be April through September. If there’s any hesitation, expect caution to win the day.

The larger question isn’t whether O’Brien misses a few bullpen sessions. It’s whether this creates early movement in the bullpen hierarchy. Spring has a way of creating opportunity when roles temporarily loosen.

For now, this reads as a speed bump, not a detour. But in a season where stability at the back end will matter, even minor setbacks deserve attention. February may be about patience — but the ninth inning always demands certainty.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Roberson