The St. Louis Cardinals will begin the 2014 season with Joe Kelly as their fifth starter.
Kelly, 25, did not have the best of springs turning in a 6.28 ERA but he still managed to lock down the spot.
Additionally the Cardinals have announced that his competition for the spot, Carlos Martinez, will begin the season as the Cardinals option for the eighth inning. It’s a curious decision given that Martinez out-pitched Kelly this spring.
“It had zero to do with what Carlos Martinez did not do,” Matheny insisted when speaking about the two pitchers, via KMOV. “(Martinez) threw the ball exceptionally well. We’re just in a spot where we need to figure out what’s best for our club and having him in the bullpen for now (is best).
“I’m not saying that’s where he’ll always be. I think (Martinez) is eventually going to be a starter and a very good one. But right now we need him out of the bullpen,” Matheny said.
Last season Kelly made 37 appearances including 15 stars. He totaled a 2.69 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP across 124 innings of work.
