Rick Hummel, Ben Frederickson
JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals’ 28-man roster is scheduled to start the season Thursday at home in Pittsburgh. While left-handed pitcher Connor Thomas is on the list of pitchers scheduled to face Washington in Jupiter on Monday, he will not be at the club on opening day.
Right-handed rookie Andre Pallante, impressive this spring, will be the 15th pitcher at the club. Thomas and right-hander Jake Walsh, another rookie, will head to Memphis Tuesday in time for the Class AAA club’s season opener. Walsh was dropped from the 40-man squad.
To get to 28, the Cardinals also placed catcher Julio Rodriguez and utility man Cory Spangenberg in the minors, and right-hander Jack Flaherty (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list.
Of more significance to St. Louis fans, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Monday that Albert Pujols will start as his batsman-designated on Thursday, marking Pujols’ 22nd straight opening day start and second All-time ranked in the Majors.
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The lineup also seems set, at least in terms of batting order. Dylan Carlson will bat first and Tommy Edman ninth on Monday. The remainder of the lineup in that order for the game consists of Paul Goldschmidt, Tyler O’Neill, Nolan Arenado, Pujols, Paul DeJong, Yadier Molina and Harrison Bader in eighth ahead of Edman.
Marmol said that could very well be Thursday’s batting order.
So far, Pujols is expected to see his first game action at first base behind Miles Mikolas, while Goldschmidt will serve as batsman-designated, although Marmol said he could change his mind and play Pujols in the last game of the spring on Tuesday first. face off against the Miami Marlins. Left-hander Steven Matz’s turn for this start.
After leaving the game on Monday, Pujols announced through his agent that he is splitting from his wife, Deidre Pujols. Pujols requested privacy regarding the matter but answered reporters’ baseball questions and expressed excitement at his opening-day start.
Here is Agent Dan Lozano’s statement on behalf of Pujols:
“I have been asked many questions over the past few days about what is going on at home and unfortunately after 22 years of marriage I have made the decision to file for divorce from my wife Deidre. I realize that this is not the best time as opening day is approaching and other family events have been happening recently. Such situations are never easy and don’t just happen overnight. As a devout Christian, this is a result I never wanted to see. Many long days and nights I have prayed and asked the Lord for his guidance. I am grateful for the five wonderful children we have brought into this world and remain committed to raising them in a loving and safe environment. I ask that you please respect our privacy and the privacy of our five children during this time.”
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