Gant bounces back in bid for Cards' rotation

JUPITER, Fla. -- Still in the mix for the Cardinals’ fifth starter job, right-hander John Gant bounced back from his last start to throw impressively over the final three innings of a four-inning outing on Sunday in the Cardinals’ 4-2 loss to the Marlins.

Gant made his fifth appearance this spring and third start. He last started on March 6, working three innings against the Yankees giving up three runs on four hits. His latest outing was a scoreless inning in relief against the Braves on Tuesday.

Against the Marlins, Gant struggled through a 26-pitch first inning, giving up a run on three hits. But he settled down to retire 10 of the final 12 batters he faced, allowing just a single over that span.

Gant was extended to 77 pitches (52 strikes). Over four innings he yielded one run on four hits. His lone strikeout was the first batter he faced, whiffing Curtis Granderson on a 94-mile-per-hour fastball.

“He’s athletic; he throws multiple pitches for strikes,” said Cardinals manager Mike Shildt. “He does a lot of the little things well. It’s just a matter of executing the changeup and breaking ball, and consistency with his fastball.

“He’s been pretty consistent with those, and it’s going to be the key to his success. He’s got the weapons for sure.”

Carpenter nursing back tightness

Matt Carpenter was scratched from the lineup Saturday because of tightness in his back, and he will rest for a couple more days.

“Carp had a little bit of tightness in his back yesterday,” said Shildt. “We knew that prior to the game yesterday. Nothing serious, we’re not concerned about it. He’s not concerned about it. We want to be judicious and give him a couple of days. So we’ll play it day by day. He’s going to be fine.”

Shildt said it is likely that the Cardinals’ third baseman could return to the lineup by Wednesday.

Roster moves

The Cardinals announced some roster moves late Saturday. They have re-assigned four non-roster players to the team’s Minor League camp, reducing the number of players in Major League Spring Training camp to 45, including 33 roster players.

The team re-assigned left-handed pitcher Hunter Cervenka, catcher Jeremy Martinez, infielder Max Schrock and outfielder Randy Arozarena to Minor League camp.

Martinez welcomes third child

Carlos Martinez and his wife Laura welcomed their third child, daughter Khloe, on Saturday. Martinez could rejoin the team as early as Monday, but with Tuesday being an off-day the return could also be Wednesday.

Up next

The Cardinals will host the Phillies at 12:05 p.m. CT Monday at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Fla.. Right-hander Dakota Hudson gets the start for the Cardinals, who face the Phillies in Jupiter for the first time since 2009. It will be Hudson’s fifth outing of the spring. He went four scoreless against the Astros, throwing one-hit ball, striking out three, on March 8. For the spring, Hudson has pitched 10 2/3 innings allowing three runs on eight hits.