Reyes primed for spot in Opening Day bullpen

JUPITER, Fla. -- Alex Reyes' road back from a second surgery seems poised to end where this all began -- back in Milwaukee.

It was during a four-inning start, his first appearance since recovering from Tommy John surgery, at Miller Park last May that everyone became aware of what Reyes already felt -- his arm wasn’t right. It was later determined that Reyes would require surgery to repair a torn lat muscle. His season was over.

But now, as the Cardinals begin to finalize the bullpen they’ll feature against the Brewers next week, Reyes finds himself almost certain to be a part of it.

“I think Alex has more than proved himself,” manager Mike Shildt said. “He’s in a great spot. Looks good.”

Once it was determined earlier this month that Reyes wouldn’t have enough time to build up as a starter, the Cardinals zeroed in on his possible fit as a reliever. He seized the opportunity and now lines up to be a flexible right-handed option who can give Shildt multiple innings or slot into a late-inning spot.

Reyes, who threw a scoreless inning against the Marlins on Wednesday, is slated to make one more Grapefruit League appearance on Saturday and then come out of the bullpen in Monday’s exhibition game in Memphis.

“Really feel good about the plan,” Shildt said. “Really feel good about the progression. And really feel good about his recovery, most importantly.”

On the mend

The Cardinals plan to relocate Carlos Martínez to St. Louis next week, so that he can continue his throwing program under the supervision of the big league medical staff.

Martinez resumed throwing on Wednesday after taking a few days off to be present for the birth of his daughter. Shildt said it will be “another couple weeks” before Martinez will progress to throwing off the mound.

The Cardinals are not rushing into a decision about whether to prepare Martinez as a starter or reliever. Based on where Martinez is in his program, the club can likely delay making that call until at least mid-April.

Worth noting

• Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench stopped by camp on Thursday to meet with staff and players from the Minor League side.

• Jordan Hicks and Andrew Miller are scheduled to get work in a Minor League game on Friday. Miller hit two batters and walked one before turning over a bases-loaded mess to John Brebbia in Thursday’s 11-3 win against the Yankees.

Up next

The Cardinals will meet the Mets for the final time this spring in a 12:10 p.m. CT game at First Data Field. John Gant will get the start as the Cardinals continue to stretch him out before slotting him into their Opening Day bullpen. Relievers Dominic Leone, Mike Mayers and Reyes are also expected to get work in the game.