Swagerty throws for first time since 2011

There was good news today for St. Louis Cardinals prospect Jordan Swagerty.

The pitching prospect, who missed last season due to Tommy John surgery, threw off the mound to face hitters for the first time since 2011.

Feb 29 2012, Jupiter, FL, USA: St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Jordan Swagerty (78) during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium. Image Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny addressed the media today with regards to the Matt Carpenter project.

"“We had this conversation yesterday,” Matheny told the media Monday. “Eventually you give him some work at third, just to make sure he feels comfortable over there. So we put a plan together. How much work do you need to feel comfortable at third base? So we’ve got a plan in place. Right now I want his best attention and his best effort going into second base.”"

Carpenter is a natural third baseman.

The Cardinals are still waiting on Carlos Martinez‘s visa issues to be worked out.

No clue right now as to whether or not Pete Kozma starts the season in St. Louis or April but rest assured, he will do everything he can to stay on the major league roster. The Kozma situation is interesting because the Cardinals have to make sure they have the depth at short stop in the event that Rafael Furcal is not 100% healthy to start the season.

I have my own reasons to be pessimistic. Furcal was supposed to be a stop-gap until someone in the minor leagues was ready for the big show but that situation really has not developed. With the Cardinals minor league system, there’s not a player that is being called the short stop of the future like there is with Kolten Wong at second base or Oscar Taveras in the outfield. Whether the answer is found in Greg Garcia, Ryan Jackson, Kozma, or the newly acquired Jake Lemmerman, I don’t know. I just don’t think the long term answer is Ronny Cedeno or Ty Wigginton. Time will tell whether I am proven wrong.