The Cardinals finalized their opening day pitching staff by optioning flame-thrower Chris Perez to Triple-A Memphis. This move leaves the Cardinals with 12 healthy pitchers heading north for opening day.
The Cardinals elected to keep Brad Thompson as a second long-relief pitcher, not because his performance merits a trip north over Perez's, but mainly because of the shaky performance by long-relief pitcher Kyle McClellan.
Manager Tony LaRussa was quoted as saying, "I'm sure he'd rather pitch in the big leagues, but he knows he's highly regarded, and he's young."
The 12 pitchers that will make the trip north are starters Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Kyle Lohse, Todd Wellemeyer, and Joel Pineiro. Additionally, there will be five relievers from the right side and two relievers from the left side.
The right side relievers are Brad Thompson, Kyle McClellan, Josh Kinney, Jason Motte, and Ryan Franklin. The two lefties are Denny Reyes and Trevor Miller.
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