\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"On what would have been Opening Day, the moves hint at how the Cardinals saw their bullpen when Spring Training ended.\n\n• Opening Day at Home: Watch David Freese's epic HR in 2011 WS G6\n\nDuring Spring Training, Cabrera, Reyes and Fernandez all were in the mix for a relief role with the Cardinals. Cabrera, who pitched on a starter’s schedule this spring, was in the running to be a second lefty in the bullpen with Andrew Miller -- whose lack of feel led him to just one live game appearance this spring -- and Brett Cecil (right hamstring strain) both questionable for the start of the season. The regular-season delay now gives Miller time to work out his issues and Cecil time to heal, so Cabrera is better suited for starts in Triple-A unless needed in relief.\n\nCabrera, the Cardinals’ No. 9 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, had impressed as a rotation arm this spring after his experience in the bullpen last season taught him to be more aggressive, especially with his breaking ball. He allowed one run while striking out eight in four appearances (six innings) this spring.\n\nThe 23-year-old Fernandez -- St. Louis’ [No. 10 prospect](https://www.mlb.com/prospects/2020/cardinals/junior-fernandez-658551) \\-\\- was a dark horse in the Cardinals’ closer conversation this spring after impressing with his powerful right arm. He made his Major League debut last season and he averaged 97 mph with his fastball during 13 appearances (11 2/3 innings). He complements his fastball with a changeup and slider that has swing-and-miss bite. He showed more of what he’s capable of this spring before walks skewed his line, but Fernandez likely will find himself in the Majors again at some point this season.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2020-03-01T20:54:16.931Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2020/2020-03/01/b68372f2-ef7c5eff-9d24b8ab-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Junior Fernandez throws a scoreless 7th inning, striking out Alex De Goti, Lorenzo Quintana and Jake Adams swinging","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:42","slug":"junior-fernandez-k-s-the-side","tags":[{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-138","title":"St. Louis Cardinals","team":{"__ref":"Team:138"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-658551","title":"Junior Fernández","person":{"__ref":"Person:658551"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"pitching","title":"pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"spring-training","title":"Spring Training","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"grapefruit-league","title":"Grapefruit League","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight-reel-pitching","title":"highlight reel pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight-reel-starting-pitching","title":"highlight reel starting pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"mlb-top-prospects","title":"MLB Top Prospects","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/aowz5ia5atjzkw8obcrx"},"title":"Junior Fernandez strikes out 3","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/junior-fernandez-k-s-the-side"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Reyes was jumpy early in the spring and he admitted he was nervous on the mound -- it was his first regular spring after three years of injuries \\-\\- but the 25-year-old settled in and impressed in his later innings. Reyes’ path to the Majors this year was through the bullpen, and before the season was suspended, the Cardinals saw their former top prospect transitioning into a higher-leverage reliever this season, as long as he could get his command under control.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2020-03-03T20:49:32.268Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2020/2020-03/03/6fab0d2c-df6e2a5d-cd8beb77-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Alex Reyes comes on in relief and strikes out four batters over two innings of one-run ball against the Astros","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:39","slug":"alex-reyes-four-k-relief-outing","tags":[{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-138","title":"St. Louis Cardinals","team":{"__ref":"Team:138"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-621052","title":"Alex Reyes","person":{"__ref":"Person:621052"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"spring-training","title":"Spring Training","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"grapefruit-league","title":"Grapefruit League","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"pitching","title":"pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight-reel-pitching","title":"highlight reel pitching","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/uudplrohwq8hxn6n7lix"},"title":"Alex Reyes' four-K relief outing","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/alex-reyes-four-k-relief-outing"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Knizner, the Cardinals’ No. 6 prospect, will be the everyday catcher in Memphis when baseball returns, and he could be called up to the Majors if needed this season. Backup catcher Matt Wieters was signed to a one-year deal this offseason to give the Cardinals a veteran backup to Yadier Molina and a bat off the bench, and to allow Knizner to get regular playing time in Triple-A.","type":"text"}],"relativeSiteUrl":"/news/cardinals-prospects-memphis-assignments","contentType":"news","subHeadline":null,"summary":"ST. LOUIS -- Though baseball is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, clubs are still free to sort out rosters to prepare for when the season begins. The Cardinals made their second round of cuts since the regular season was postponed, optioning Génesis Cabrera, Junior Fernandez, Alex Reyes and","tagline({\"formatString\":\"none\"})":null,"tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2020","title":"Season 2020","type":"season"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"storytype-article","title":"Article","type":"article"},{"__typename":"ContributorTag","slug":"anne-rogers","title":"Anne Rogers","type":"contributor"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-138","title":"St. Louis Cardinals","team":{"__ref":"Team:138"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"mlb-top-prospects","title":"MLB Top Prospects","type":"taxonomy"}],"type":"story","thumbnail":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/jm2yn98hqzrznj0wygoz","title":"Cardinals prospects optioned to Triple-A"}},"Team:138":{"__typename":"Team","id":138},"Person:650893":{"__typename":"Person","id":650893},"Person:658551":{"__typename":"Person","id":658551},"Person:621052":{"__typename":"Person","id":621052}}}
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ST. LOUIS -- Though baseball is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, clubs are still free to sort out rosters to prepare for when the season begins. The Cardinals made their second round of cuts since the regular season was postponed, optioning Génesis Cabrera, Junior Fernandez, Alex Reyes and Andrew Knizner to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.
The following players have been optioned to the Memphis (AAA) roster:
▫️ LHP Génesis Cabrera ▫️ RHP Junior Fernández ▫️ C Andrew Knizner ▫️ RHP Alex Reyes pic.twitter.com/avEDvzlJHD
During Spring Training, Cabrera, Reyes and Fernandez all were in the mix for a relief role with the Cardinals. Cabrera, who pitched on a starter’s schedule this spring, was in the running to be a second lefty in the bullpen with Andrew Miller -- whose lack of feel led him to just one live game appearance this spring -- and Brett Cecil (right hamstring strain) both questionable for the start of the season. The regular-season delay now gives Miller time to work out his issues and Cecil time to heal, so Cabrera is better suited for starts in Triple-A unless needed in relief.
Cabrera, the Cardinals’ No. 9 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, had impressed as a rotation arm this spring after his experience in the bullpen last season taught him to be more aggressive, especially with his breaking ball. He allowed one run while striking out eight in four appearances (six innings) this spring.
The 23-year-old Fernandez -- St. Louis’ No. 10 prospect -- was a dark horse in the Cardinals’ closer conversation this spring after impressing with his powerful right arm. He made his Major League debut last season and he averaged 97 mph with his fastball during 13 appearances (11 2/3 innings). He complements his fastball with a changeup and slider that has swing-and-miss bite. He showed more of what he’s capable of this spring before walks skewed his line, but Fernandez likely will find himself in the Majors again at some point this season.
Reyes was jumpy early in the spring and he admitted he was nervous on the mound -- it was his first regular spring after three years of injuries -- but the 25-year-old settled in and impressed in his later innings. Reyes’ path to the Majors this year was through the bullpen, and before the season was suspended, the Cardinals saw their former top prospect transitioning into a higher-leverage reliever this season, as long as he could get his command under control.
Knizner, the Cardinals’ No. 6 prospect, will be the everyday catcher in Memphis when baseball returns, and he could be called up to the Majors if needed this season. Backup catcher Matt Wieters was signed to a one-year deal this offseason to give the Cardinals a veteran backup to Yadier Molina and a bat off the bench, and to allow Knizner to get regular playing time in Triple-A.