Liberatore will start Opening Day for Cardinals

JUPITER, Fla. -- Left-hander Matthew Liberatore has been named the Cardinals' Opening Day starter, manager Oliver Marmol announced to the team’s sideline reporter, Dani Wexelman, during Wednesday afternoon's broadcast of the club's 4-1 win over the Astros.

The man affectionately known as “Libby” will get the start on March 26 at Busch Stadium against the Rays, the same team that selected him in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft. Two years later, the Rays traded Liberatore to St. Louis as part of the deal that sent outfielder Randy Arozarena to Tampa Bay.

“I’m super excited. I’m definitely ready to get the season rolling, get out there and go compete,” Liberatore said. “Baseball is a funny game. It’s funny how things work out that way [when it comes to playing the Rays]. Regardless, I’m excited to go out there and compete."

Liberatore learned the news of his special assignment from Marmol and pitching coach Dusty Blake on Wednesday morning. Liberatore then called his wife Natalie and his parents, Anthony and Lauri, and gave them the news.

Liberatore also was able to inform one of his former teammates, Adam Wainwright, who was in the clubhouse. Liberatore then asked his mentor for advice on how to handle the first day of the regular season. Wainwright, who pitched in six Opening Days, gave him a simple answer: Treat it like every other start.

“It’s a ballgame at the end of the day and I couldn’t agree more,” Liberatore said. “It’s still nine innings against another team and we have to get three outs in every inning.”

Liberatore is only 26, but he suddenly became the top starter in the rotation after St. Louis traded Sonny Gray to the Red Sox for prospects and allowed Miles Mikolas to become a free agent this past offseason.

Being No. 1 isn’t in name only. Liberatore earned the spot by allowing only one free pass in 13 1/3 innings during the exhibition season (10 innings in three Grapefruit League starts and 3 1/3 innings in his start against Team Nicaragua, which doesn't count toward Spring Training stats). He said he learned to avoid walks after he was put in the bullpen in 2024.

“Ever since I was put in the 'pen, there is this heavy importance about needing to throw strikes right away,” Liberatore said recently. “It’s something that’s kind of stuck with me. If I can avoid that as much as possible, it just makes it that much easier.”

Fitts sent down
The Cardinals optioned right-hander Richard Fitts to Triple-A Memphis, which means the starting rotation is set with Liberatore, Kyle Leahy, Dustin May, Michael McGreevy and Andre Pallante.

Fitts, who was acquired by the Cardinals last November in the Gray trade, pitched three games, allowing six runs in 9 1/3 innings with nine strikeouts. Fitts had a long talk with pitching coach Dusty Blake Wednesday morning and the team wants him to refine his arsenal, which includes his four-seamer and slider.

Fitts last pitched Sunday against the Nationals, throwing 4 2/3 innings and allowing two runs on one hit and three walks to go with five strikeouts in a 6-3 victory. Fitts had a rough second inning, as he threw 21 pitches and was responsible for two baserunners when he left the game in favor of right-hander Hunter Hayes, who allowed a three-run homer to Joey Wiemer. Fitts re-entered the game in the third and pitched three scoreless innings.

Fitts most likely will be the first to be called up when the big league squad needs a starter for a doubleheader or if one of the starting pitchers is on the injured list.

“I’m not happy with it, but I respect their decision. I’m going to work as hard as I can to get up [to the big leagues],” Fitts said. “Me being unhappy isn’t me being unhappy with them. I want to be in the big leagues. They made a decision that they think is best.”