Entering the 2014 season, the St. Louis Cardinals have very high hopes for their newly-tabbed closer, but reports indicate that Trevor Rosenthal had to cut a bullpen session short on Tuesday afternoon.
Trevor Rosenthal leaves field, live BP with trainer after some discomfort. Does not appear to be arm-related. Update soon. #stlcards
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) February 25, 2014
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting that Rosenthal left the field with a trainer, and later, Goold indicated that it was a right leg injury in addition to simply not being “arm-related”. The fact that it is a leg injury is extremely encouraging for 23-year-old right-hander, especially given the spotlight that will be placed on him as the team’s closer for the first time.
Rosenthal had an outstanding season in a set-up role in 2013, throwing 75.1 innings with a 2.63 ERA (1.91 FIP) and an incredible strikeout rate (12.90 K/9). That was enough performance for Cards manager Mike Matheny to official tab him as the team’s closer, and because this isn’t an arm-related issue, it is a safe bet to think that his role will remain unchanged. Fantasy owners and St. Louis fans alike probably gasped upon reading anything negative around Rosenthal as he ramps things up, but this is about as harmless as it could have been.