Cardinals’ Trevor Rosenthal out for weekend

If you’re looking for Trevor Rosenthal this weekend when it comes to the ninth inning, you’re out of luck.

No, the St. Louis Cardinals closer isn’t out due to injury. That’s the last thing the Cardinals need to happen.

This news is actually good. According to MLB.com reporter Jenifer Langosch, Rosenthal is flying out from Phoenix to St. Louis on Friday so he can be by his wife’s side as she gives birth to the couple’s second child.

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Rosenthal was placed on the paternity list. A corresponding roster move was not announced for Rosenthal, who should be back with the team on Monday when the Cardinals return from their homestand.

It was touch and go for a while, but the Cardinals appear to have regained some of the offensive form that was missing from early contests on this road trip. St. Louis had plenty of trouble with the San Diego Padres but appears to have a handle on the Arizona Diamondbacks entering Thursday’s finale of the three-game series.

St. Louis opens a three-game set with the San Francisco Giants on Friday.

Rosenthal is on the verge of potential history. He has back-to-back 40-save seasons, and Rosenthal is within striking distance of 47 saves, which is the all-time Cardinals record previously set by Lee Smith in 1991. Smith saved 43 games apiece in 1992 and 1993.

In Rosenthal’s absence, look for the team to go to either Kevin Siegrist, Seth Maness, Steve Cishek or Jonathan Broxton. The bullpen has not been much of an issue for the Cardinals this season, so it shouldn’t suddenly fall apart right now.