ST. LOUIS -- There was no shortage of moving parts for the Cardinals’ roster machinations surrounding Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Brewers.
Before reporters got a chance to ask manager Oliver Marmol Tuesday morning for his perspective on a flurry of transactions that included optioning Ryan Fernandez to Triple-A Memphis and veteran left-hander Bruce Zimmermann joining the big league roster, they had to wait in the hallway for a few extra minutes.
Eventually, president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom emerged from Marmol’s office having ostensibly completed a planning session as the Cardinals mapped out their path forward on a pitching plan -- not only for covering 18 innings during the day’s doubleheader, but also into the remainder of the final homestand before the All-Star break.
The Cardinals announced Matt Svanson as the starter for Game 1 opposite Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski. Hunter Dobbins was scheduled to start Game 2 as the 27th man.
A reliever by trade, Svanson served as an opener ahead of Zimmermann in a bulk relief role. Despite solid efforts by both pitchers, the Cardinals lost Game 1 to the Brewers, 4-3.
The decision to cobble together the Svanson-Zimmermann combo allowed for Michael McGreevy’s start to be pushed to Wednesday.
“We wanted to buy McGreevy an extra day,” Marmol said. “Those guys have posted and done a nice job. Recovery is a real thing. Pushing him and [Andre] Pallante back is meaningful, so we wanted to do it.”
Despite not taking the ball first, Zimmermann was expected to see plenty of it in Tuesday’s Game 1.
“One hundred seventy-five pitches,” Marmol joked about Zimmermann’s prescribed pitch count.
Zimmermann tossed 72 pitches across five innings, delivering exactly what the Cardinals were looking for: a chance against the NL’s most dominant starter in Misiorowski.
“He ate up a decent amount of that game,” Marmol said. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to close it out.”
A 31-year-old journeyman who has seen big league time with both Baltimore and Milwaukee in his five-year career, Zimmermann knew the drill -- and understood the assignment.
“You know, it’s not my first time,” Zimmermann said. “So I’m used to the callup roundabout, and doubleheaders or whatnot. But I’m grateful. Getting chances in the big leagues is obviously something you work for, and it’s why I still play the game.”
Zimmermann spending his allotment of pitches in Game 1 set up further roster movement as the Cardinals designated him for assignment to make room for lefty Jared Shuster, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Memphis ahead of Game 2.
It’s the third time this season that the Cardinals have selected Shuster. Shuster’s success in two scoreless innings against Milwaukee back on May 6 was not replicated in Tuesday’s nightcap, as he allowed seven runs to just four outs recorded in a 10-2 Cardinals loss.
Utility man Bryan Torres finished the game on the mound for St. Louis, highlighting how far a doubleheader can stretch a bullpen.
Marmol reiterated Tuesday night the importance of juggling rest to maintain health for the pitching staff.
“It’s not ideal, but it’s what was needed today,” Marmol said.
Game 1 had its complications, too, as Ryne Stanek faced only two batters before suffering an ankle injury while covering first base on a bunt play.
Justin Bruihl had his own ankle injury scare while fielding his position Monday night, but was available Tuesday afternoon and pitched two key innings to bridge the bullpen into the nightcap.
“Bruihl being able to go two, especially after what he gave us yesterday,” said Marmol. “He’s done a really nice job. … He’s taken the ball, even in some tough spots where he could have been down a day, he continues to just post, which is awesome. But him taking that second inning was important.”
The moving parts, which also included Max Rajcic being transferred to the 60-day injured list Tuesday morning, should continue to churn as the Cardinals close out the rest of the week.
Tuesday morning, Marmol didn't reveal if relief prospect Luis Gastelum (Cards' No. 21 prospect) could be added to the roster in Zimmermann's spot as early as between games of the doubleheader -- and that particular concept didn’t materialize, with Shuster deployed instead.
Brycen Mautz, another arm capable of providing innings for a beleaguered pitching staff, already has a spot on the 40-man roster. He last threw 44 pitches across two innings for Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.
After Shuster’s ill-fated appearance, more changes are expected as the marathon five-game series continues Wednesday.