Here is the 2016 History as it Happens!
Signed:
RHP Mike Leake, INF Jedd Gyorko, RHP Seung Hwan Oh, C Brayan Pena, RHP Matt Bowman, C Mike Ohlman.
GONE:
RF Jason Heyward, RHP John Lackey, INF-OF Mark Reynolds, OF Jon Jay, C Tony Cruz, OF Peter Bourjos, INF Pete Kozma,
RHP Carlos Villanueva, RHP Matt Belisle, LHP Randy Choate, RHP Steve Cishek.
Spring Training
February 17– pitchers and catcher report
February 21– Tyler Waldron (shoulder impingement) has been shut down indefinitely. Waldron was shut down for his scheduled bullpen session Saturday due to a shoulder issue, and now it has been announced that the 26-year-old right-hander is dealing with a shoulder impingement. He will be on the shelf indefinitely, which almost assuredly negates his chances of making the Opening Day roster.
March 2
Kolten Wong signs a guaranteed $25.5MM over five years, beginning in 2016. The contract also includes a $12.5MM option (with a $1MM buyout) for another season, and doesn’t come with any no-trade protection.
The Cardinals open Spring Training games with a contest against Florida Atlantic University. Austin Gombers , a FAU alum, is selected to pitch against his old school. Cardinals win 11-6.
March 3
The Cardinals won their Spring Training Opener over the Marlins 4-3. Here is the boxscore for the game.
Note: Rule 5 Draft pick Matthew Bowman will miss the next few days of baseball activities after having his right eye bruised when a ball struck him in the face on Wednesday.
The Cardinals sent Bowman to an eye specialist for further evaluation on Thursday after he woke up with blurred vision. After returning from that visit, Bowman said the doctor suggested the right-hander not participate in any physical activity until he is reevaluated on Monday.
That means Bowman will have to wait a little longer than expected to make his first Grapefruit League appearance, which had been scheduled for Thursday.
March 7
Shortstop Jhonny Peralta left the team to have his thumb looked at back in St. Louis. GM John Mozeliak expects him to be out 2-3 months and will require surgery. Also, Matt Holliday played first base in Spring Training game.
March 10
Jhonny Peralta had thumb surgery today and is likely out until All Star break.
March 30
The Cardinals will keep Rule 5 draftee Matt Bowman on the Opening Day roster.
March 31
Ruben Tejada, who was sign to replace the injured Peralta, had to leave the last game with a left quad strain and may miss some time.
Spring Training OVER
Cardinals finish 12-10-2
Averages
Piscotty .333
Wong .304
Grichuk .304
Hazelbaker .304
Adams .292
Holliday .278
Moss .255
Carpenter .167
OPS Grichuk .925 Hazelbaker .916 Piscotty .875 Adams .819 Moss .768 Holliday .752 Wong .724 Carpenter .508
SEASON OPENER
April 3, 2016 The Cardinals travel to Pittsburgh as Adam Wainwright face Francisco Liriano.
Bryan Pena is placed on the DL and will have knee surgery and be out 2-4 weeks. Eric Fryer replaces him.
In the second inning Tommy Pham is removed with a quad injury/tightness. Jeremy Hazelbaker and Seung Hwan Oh make their MLB debuts.
The Game
Pirates win 4-1 as Liriano fans 10 and the Pirates pitchers whiff 14 in total. The Cardinals score in the ninth with an RBI from Matt Carpenter.
BOXSCORE The Cardinals are 0-1 on the season. Wainwright gets the loss.
Game 2- April 5