MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Cardinals were optimistic Monday as opening day starter showed improvement and was able to work out at Busch Stadium in St. Louis after battling a flu-like illness over the past week. Team president John Mozeliak acknowledged Gray had been sick when asked about the right-hander’s struggles during spring training and his drop in velocity.
“The last couple of starts haven’t gone as planned,” Mozeliak said from the dugout at AutoZone Park before the Cardinals’ exhibition game against the Redbirds. “I also don’t think he was feeling great, especially in that last one.”
Gray did not mention any illness to reporters.
Despite this, Mozeliak said he did not anticipate Gray missing Thursday’s start and noted that he was feeling better. The team was still uncertain if or how his illness affected his recent spring performances.
Gray’s symptoms worsened over the past few days, forcing him to step away from the team to recover, Mozeliak said. Instead of traveling with the Cardinals to Memphis, Gray remained in St. Louis, where he worked out and did some throwing at Busch Stadium. Manager Oliver Marmol expected an update on how Gray felt after his throwing session Wednesday night.
In his final Grapefruit League start, Gray struggled, allowing five runs on seven hits over 4⅓ innings. Throughout spring training, he never had a start where he allowed fewer than three runs. In several outings, he was unable to complete innings and had to reenter to reach his pitch count. Additionally, his velocity dipped, and he admitted after his last start that he didn’t feel like he was “rearing back and throwing 93 or 94 mph like I always have.”
“I will find a way,” Gray told reporters, including Post-Dispatch columnist Lynn Worthy. “It just might look a little different than what I’m used to.”
Mozeliak expressed confidence in Gray’s ability to adjust, drawing a comparison to Adam Wainwright, who adapted his approach to remain effective despite a declining fastball.
Gray led the team in both runs allowed (20) and strikeouts (17) over 14⅓ innings during spring training.
His Opening Day start will mark the fourth of his career and his first with the Cardinals.
“When people ask me if I’m worried about Sonny Gray, my answer is not today,” Mozeliak said. “We trust his ability, and hopefully, he finds his rhythm on Opening Day.”
Top prospect to Class AA
Less than a year after being selected seventh overall in the MLB draft, JJ Wetherholt will skip a level and begin this season at Double-A Springfield (Missouri).
Mozeliak confirmed Wetherholt’s assignment to the Post-Dispatch ahead of the finalization of minor league rosters next week.
The 22-year-old infielder saw regular playing time in big league camp during the early weeks of Grapefruit League action. He struggled at the plate, going 2-for-20 (.100) with a home run, but earned praise from the manager for his approach and work ethic. The Cardinals primarily played Wetherholt at shortstop—where he’ll continue to see significant time in Springfield—but he also logged innings at second base during spring training.
After being drafted in July, Wetherholt impressed at Low-A Palm Beach, hitting .295 with a .405 on-base percentage while helping the team capture the Florida State League championship. Instead of advancing to High-A Peoria, he will jump directly to Double-A, putting him just two levels away from the majors.
Meanwhile, top pitching prospect Quinn Mathews, Baseball America’s 2024 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, will start the season at Triple-A Memphis. Jimmy Crooks, last year’s Texas League MVP with Double-A Springfield, will be the starting catcher in Memphis.
Winn OK after momentary wobble
While trying to avoid a throw during Monday’s game, Masyn Winn briefly crumpled to the ground, twisting his ankle in a way that caught the dugout’s attention. Although he tried to wave off a visit from the trainer and manager, they checked on him anyway and determined he was fine to continue playing. Winn took another at-bat before exiting the Cardinals’ exhibition game against their Triple-A affiliate.
After the game, Winn reassured reporters that he felt fine and had no lingering pain.
“His leg got caught underneath him,” manager Oliver Marmol said. “We should be good to go.”
Extra bases
The Cardinals placed left-hander Zack Thompson on the 15-day injured list Monday. Thompson remained in Jupiter, Florida, where he is set to begin a throwing program soon. He missed most of spring training due to a torn lat muscle on his left side, but the team chose not to place him on the 60-day injured list, as they do not anticipate his absence lasting that long.
Right-hander Nick Anderson, who was available to other teams willing to add him to their active roster, will stay with the Cardinals and join the Triple-A Memphis bullpen. Anderson made strides in spring training, improving his fastball and velocity—two areas he has struggled with since an injury disrupted his time as a top-tier late-inning reliever for Tampa Bay.
Meanwhile, Memphis manager Ben Johnson is entering his sixth season in the role and is just 20 wins away from becoming the all-time winningest manager for the Cardinals’ top affiliate.
In the ninth inning of the Cardinals’ 3-3 tie with the Redbirds, bullpen catcher Kleininger Teran was sent up as a pinch hitter. His big-league teammates gathered on the top step to watch him face Curtis Taylor. Teran put the ball in play for a groundout, much to the delight of the dugout.
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