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The Cardinal Chronicle Liberatore Gets the Ball on Opening Day St. Louis, MO — By Ray MileurThe St. Louis Cardinals made it official Wednesday: Matthew Liberatore will take the mound on March 26 at Busch Stadium as the club’s Opening Day starter against the Tampa Bay Rays.For Liberatore, it’s more than just another start—it’s a full-circle moment.The left-hander was originally selected 16th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft by Tampa Bay, the very team he’ll now face to open the season. Baseball has a way of writing its own stories, and this one comes with a little extra edge.It also marks the first Opening Day assignment of Liberatore’s career, a nod that reflects both his growth and the trust he’s earned within the organization.After transitioning from a mixed role in 2024, Liberatore took on a full-time starting job last season, making 29 starts. The results were steady, if not spectacular—an 8-12 record with a 4.21 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP across 151.2 innings, supported by a solid 122-to-40 strikeout-to-walk ratio.But what’s turning heads now is what he’s done this spring.In Grapefruit League action, Liberatore has looked every bit the part of a staff leader, posting a 2.70 ERA, a crisp 1.00 WHIP, and an impressive 14-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 10 innings. More importantly, he’s pitched with confidence, command, and a presence that suggests he’s ready for the responsibility.And make no mistake—this is a responsibility.Opening Day in St. Louis isn’t just another game. It’s a tradition. It’s a statement. And the pitcher handed the ball is expected to set the tone not just for nine innings, but for the season ahead.The Cardinals are betting that Liberatore is ready to do exactly that.The Old School Take This isn’t about potential anymore—it’s about production.The Cardinals didn’t hand Liberatore the Opening Day assignment because of where he was drafted or what he might become. They gave it to him because he earned it this spring.Now comes the part that matters.Go out there, take the ball, and lead.That’s what Opening Day starters do in St. Louis. Photo Credit - MLB.com&nbsp;

Liberatore Gets the Ball on Opening Day

The Cardinal Chronicle Rotation Picture Sharpens as Cardinals Option Fitts to Memphis St. Louis, MO — By Ray MileurThe Cardinals took another step toward finalizing their Opening Day roster on Wednesday, optioning right-hander Richard Fitts to Triple-A Memphis. And with that move, the picture of the starting rotation has come into clearer focus.Fitts entered camp as a legitimate contender for one of the final spots in the rotation after being acquired from Boston over the winter. But in the end, performance — not projection — told the story.Kyle Leahy and Andre Pallante have done enough this spring to win those final two rotation spots, edging out Fitts in what became one of the more quietly competitive battles in camp.Fitts’ numbers weren’t without promise. Across three Grapefruit League starts, he posted a solid 9:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, showing the ability to command the zone. But the results didn’t fully match the peripherals. He allowed six earned runs on nine hits over 9.1 innings — an uneven body of work that left the door open for others to step through.And Leahy and Pallante did just that.Both pitchers brought a steadier presence to the mound this spring — limiting damage, throwing strikes, and, just as importantly, giving the Cardinals a sense of reliability as the club prepares to break camp.From an old-school baseball standpoint, this decision makes sense. When it comes to filling out the back end of a rotation, managers tend to favor consistency over flashes. It’s not always about who has the highest ceiling — it’s about who gives you the best chance to win every fifth day right now.That doesn’t mean Fitts is out of the picture.Far from it.At Memphis, he’ll have the opportunity to continue refining his command and translating his raw stuff into consistent results. And given how quickly pitching depth can be tested over a long season, it’s more a matter of when — not if — he’ll factor into the Cardinals’ plans in 2026.For now, though, the message from Jupiter is clear:The Cardinals are leaning on dependability as they shape their rotation — and Leahy and Pallante have earned that trust.&nbsp;Photo Credit - Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images The Cardinal Chronicle Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future

Cardinals Option Fitts to Memphis

The Cardinal Chronicle Production Over Potential — And Walker Came Up Short St. Louis, MO — By Ray MileurSpring Training is supposed to clarify a roster. This year, it did something more revealing — it exposed a shift in the Cardinals’ outfield hierarchy.What once felt settled no longer is.Jordan Walker entered camp as a presumed fixture — a former top prospect with elite tools and big-league experience. But over the past few weeks in Jupiter, three younger, hungrier outfielders have done more than compete.They’ve passed him.And they didn’t do it quietly.&nbsp; The New Blood Didn’t Just Show Up — They ProducedFrom the opening week of camp, Joshua Báez, Nathan Church, and Chase Davis forced their way into the conversation the only way that matters in March — with production.Joshua Báez: Power Finally Meets ConsistencyBefore being sent down, Báez has been one of the loudest bats in camp: .333 AVG / .417 OBP / .762 SLG / 1.179 OPS, 3 HR, 5 RBI in 21 ABThis is the version of Báez the organization has been waiting on — power with purpose, improved pitch recognition, and athleticism that plays across the outfield.He hasn’t asked for a job. He’s forcing the issue.&nbsp; Nathan Church: Quiet Production, Real ValueChurch won’t dominate headlines, but he’s been steady and dependable: .290 AVG / .405 OBP / .419 SLG / .824 OPS / 9 hits, 4 walks, 1 SB Reliable defense in center fieldHe gives the Cardinals something they need — a true center fielder who gets on base and plays clean baseball.&nbsp; Chase Davis: Impact You Can’t IgnoreDavis brings swing-and-miss, but also real damage:2 HR, 6 RBI&nbsp; .520 SLGThe strikeouts are there, but so is the left-handed power this lineup has lacked. Every at-bat carries impact — and this spring, that impact has shown up.&nbsp; Jordan Walker — Present, But Not ImpactfulWalker has been in the lineup. That’s not the issue, other than 14 players have seen more playing time than the once highly touted prospect. The production is the issue; .176 AVG / .222 OBP / .176 SLG / .398 OPS. 0 HR, 2 RBI &amp;13 strikeoutsIn a camp defined by opportunity, Walker hasn’t taken control of his.&nbsp; This Is Where Pedigree Stops MatteringWalker’s talent has never been in question. But this isn’t about tools anymore — it’s about results.He needed a strong spring. He needed to separate himself.Instead:Báez produced. Church produced. Davis produced. Walker didn’t.The Cardinals aren’t in the business of projecting anymore — they’re in the business of producing.And this spring made that clear.&nbsp; The Roster Crunch Is RealThe outfield picture is no longer theoretical — it’s crowded:Nelson Velazquez Ivan Herrera Victor Scott II Joshua Báez Nathan Church Chase DavisThat’s six names for a limited number of spots, if you give Herrera playing time in left when he's not the DH and then there is Jose Fermin, an infielder by trade, who could see some playing time in left, with the addition of a healthy Ramon Urias.And right now, only one of them lacks both defensive certainty and offensive production this spring.&nbsp; What the Cardinals Should Do Next?There’s a difference between giving a young player opportunity and giving him a free pass.Right now, the Cardinals aren’t doing Jordan Walker any favors by bringing him north out of camp.He doesn’t need protection. He needs at-bats.He needs to play every day. He needs to fail, adjust, and find it again — without the pressure of trying to hold onto a big-league job he hasn’t earned this spring.That place is Triple-A Memphis.Send him down. Let him hit. Let him rebuild confidence. Let him force the organization’s hand the right way.Because when Walker is right, he won’t just fit into the lineup — he’ll demand a spot in it.&nbsp; My Old School TakeWalker still has time. He still has talent. But baseball doesn’t wait on potential — especially when others are proving they’re ready now.&nbsp; Final WordThe message from Jupiter is as old as the game itself: If you produce, you play. If you don’t, someone else will.Right now, three outfielders have earned their shot, with potential backup options at the Major League level who could spend some time in the outfield.Jordan Walker hasn’t.And the best thing the Cardinals can do — for him and for themselves — is simple:Let him go earn it.&nbsp;

Production Over Potential & Walker Comes Up Short

The Cardinal Chronicle A Trade He Couldn’t Live With: Dick Littlefield Walks Away St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurThere are trades you accept because it’s part of the game.And then there are trades you simply can’t live with.Dick Littlefield, a left-handed pitcher who spent part of the 1956 season with the St. Louis Cardinals, found himself at the center of one of the more unusual moments in baseball history in 1958. A journeyman by definition, Littlefield had pitched for multiple clubs since making his Major League debut on July 7, 1950, carving out a career the hard way—one roster spot at a time.But late in his career, baseball asked something of him he wasn’t willing to accept.In May of 1958, the New York Giants agreed to send Littlefield and $30,000 to the Brooklyn Dodgers in exchange for Jackie Robinson—a name that carried weight far beyond the game itself. Robinson, nearing the end of his legendary career, ultimately chose retirement rather than report to the Giants.And Littlefield made a decision of his own.He never reported to Brooklyn.Instead, he walked away from the game entirely.At a time when players had little say in where they went and even less power to challenge the system, Littlefield’s choice stood out. He wasn’t a star. He didn’t have leverage. There were no agents negotiating options or contracts behind the scenes.There was just a man, a decision, and the consequences that came with it.Littlefield officially retired on May 30, 1958, closing the book on a career that may not have been filled with accolades, but ended with something just as rare—conviction.My Old School TakeBack then, you didn’t get to pick your destination. The game told you where to go, and most players went without a word.But every once in a while, a man would draw a line.Dick Littlefield didn’t leave behind a Hall of Fame résumé. He left behind something quieter, and maybe more meaningful—a reminder that even in a game built on transactions, not everything is up for trade.&nbsp; The Cardinal Chronicle Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.&nbsp;

A Trade He Couldn’t Live With: And Walks Away

Spring Training Notebook — Herrera Nearing Return to Action St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurJUPITER, Fla. — There’s a quiet but important development unfolding in Cardinals camp, and it centers around one of the club’s most critical bats heading into 2026.Catcher/designated hitter Iván Herrera is expected to return to the Cardinals’ Grapefruit League lineup on Wednesday against the Astros, marking his first game action in nearly two weeks. The initial report was provided by Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, following Herrera’s successful bullpen session on Tuesday.The plan is measured, not rushed — Herrera is scheduled to serve as the designated hitter while also catching approximately three innings, in Thursday's game, a clear indication the club is easing him back into full game responsibilities.&nbsp; Notebook Take: Progress, But With PurposeLet’s not lose sight of the bigger picture here.Herrera’s spring has been anything but routine. After undergoing offseason elbow surgery, the Cardinals already had him on a controlled ramp-up schedule. Just as he began to settle in, knee inflammation added another layer of concern — not serious enough to derail his season, but enough to slow the timeline.And that’s exactly what we’re seeing now: a cautious organization playing the long game.This isn’t about March. This is about April — and beyond.&nbsp; Why Herrera Matters More Than EverComing into this season, Herrera isn’t just another piece — he’s a central one.The Cardinals are counting on his bat to anchor the designated hitter role while also providing flexibility behind the plate. His ability to contribute offensively without the daily wear and tear of catching gives this lineup a different look — one that can lengthen the order when he’s right.But here’s the reality: availability is part of the equation.A hitter can’t impact the lineup from the training room.That’s why this slow, deliberate buildup matters. The Cardinals aren’t just trying to get Herrera back — they’re trying to keep him back.&nbsp; Old School TakeThere’s always a temptation this time of year to push. To hurry a guy back. To squeeze out one more spring at-bat.Good organizations resist that.The Cardinals have been around long enough to understand that a healthy bat on Opening Day is worth far more than a rushed one in mid-March.Herrera doesn’t need to win a job — he already has one.Now it’s about making sure he’s ready to hold it.&nbsp; What to Watch Wednesday- How Herrera looks moving laterally behind the plate - The comfort level in his swing after the layoff - Whether he comes out of the game clean physically - If all boxes are checked, this becomes less about concern — and more about timing.&nbsp; Final ThoughtThis isn’t a headline-grabbing return.But it’s the kind of development that quietly shapes a season.And for the Cardinals, getting Iván Herrera back — and keeping him there — may matter more than anything he does this week in Jupiter. Photo Credit - Feb 16, 2026; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (48) during spring training workouts at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images© Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

Herrera Nearing Return to Action

The Cardinal Chronicle Hunter Dobbins to Begin the Season on the IL&nbsp; St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurJUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals will open the 2026 season without right-hander Hunter Dobbins, as manager Oliver Marmol confirmed Sunday that the 26-year-old will begin the year on the injured list.“Dobbins will begin the season on the IL,” Marmol said, via Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.It’s not unexpected—but it is another checkpoint in what’s already been a long road back.Dobbins continues to work his way back from ACL surgery last July, and while the progress has been steady, the finish line isn’t quite in sight yet. He stretched out to five innings on the back fields Saturday, a strong sign physically, but there’s still work to be done—particularly when it comes to fielding his position and regaining full game readiness.That last part matters more than people think. Pitching isn’t just about the arm—it’s rhythm, reaction, and trust in your body when things break down in a split second.At this point, the Cardinals are taking the cautious route—and rightly so, because this is a setback, not the end of the road for Dobbins.There’s no benefit in rushing a pitcher back from a knee injury, especially one who still has development ahead of him. The organization wants Dobbins not just healthy, but complete—able to handle everything the position demands.The early indication is that this may not be a long-term absence. If his progression continues without setbacks, Dobbins could factor into the picture sooner rather than later.But—and this is the part that matters—there are no guarantees.Even once fully healthy, Dobbins isn’t assured a spot on the major league roster.The Cardinals are navigating a roster crunch, particularly on the pitching side, where competition has tightened throughout camp. Availability is one thing. Opportunity is another.Dobbin s will need both.Old School TakeThis is one of those moments where patience tells you more than performance.A year from now, nobody will remember whether Dobbins missed Opening Day. What they’ll remember is whether he came back right.The Cardinals aren’t just protecting a roster spot here—they’re protecting a pitcher.And if Dobbins handles this the right way, takes the extra time, and finishes what he started in his rehab, there’s still a path forward.It just won’t start on March 26.&nbsp; The Cardinal Chronicle Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future

Hunter Dobbins to Begin the  Season on the IL

The Cardinal Chronicle 

The Cardinal Chronicle is dedicated to preserving Cardinals history, covering today’s game, and following the next generation through the minor leagues. Written in the tradition of the old beat writers, it’s baseball with perspective — steady, faithful, and rooted in a lifelong love for the game.

Ray Mileur, Publisher

The Cardinal Notebook

Liberatore Gets the Ball on Opening Day

Cardinals Option Fitts to Memphis

Production Over Potential & Walker Comes Up Short

A Trade He Couldn’t Live With: And Walks Away

Herrera Nearing Return to Action

Hunter Dobbins to Begin the Season on the IL