Keith Butler wins St. Louis Cardinals final roster spot

Kentucky native Keith Butler has won the final spot in the St. Louis Cardinals bullpen. The move is expected to be temporary as Jason Motte is recovering from last season’s Tommy John surgery.
Mar 2, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Keith Butler (65) throws the ball against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium. Image Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
On Friday, the team announced that Jorge Rondon was being optioned to the Memphis Redbirds. Non-roster invitees David Aardsma, Scott McGregor, Ed Easley, Scott Moore, Xavier Scruggs, and Stephen Piscotty were re-assigned to Memphis. Joey Butler was outrighted to the Memphis roster. This leaves the Cardinals with 38 players on the 40-man roster.

The exhibition game that was expected to be played between the Cardinals and Redbirds was rained out. While fans were disappointed in the rain-out, the team will be back next year for an exhibition game. The Cardinals finalized their purchase of the Memphis Redbirds.

When Memphis starts this season, they will have a highly touted outfield with Piscotty, Randal Grichuk, and Oscar Taveras.

Should the Cardinals need an outfielder called up, manager Mike Matheny said that they would go with one who is “playing the best at the time.”

When the Cardinals hit Cincinnati to take on the Reds, Pete Kozma will be with the team as insurance for Mark Ellis, who is battling a sore knee. For Kozma to make the 25-man roster, somebody would have to be placed on the DL.

Adam Wainwright, who will start the season opener against the Reds on Monday, is the fearless leader. Wainwright has shown over the years that he is going to be a memorable player when all is said and done.