Pen on Paper: Mapping the 2016 Cardinals Bullpen

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The Setup Man

A rare shot of

Jordan Walden

pitching in a real game for the Cardinals. Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t know if Jordan Walden is ever coming back. You remember Jordan Walden, don’t you? Back in August manager Mike Matheny said the righthander took “one step forward, two steps back” in his rehab and he was done for the season. A biceps strain put him on the DL April 29 and he never pitched again. Now what? Rest, I guess. In a press conference after the Cards were bounced from the postseason, Mozeliak said Walden will be spending his offseason simply resting his arm back home in Texas. Great. If it works, the Cardinals pen gets exponentially better with a guy who’s essentially a closer serving as the bridge to the closer. If not, how about Sam Tuivailala? The average velocity on his four-seamer is just above 97, and he has a power curveball. Both generate whiffs and ground balls.