Although a thin bench has been tested by two extra-inning games already this week and a doubleheader Thursday, the Cardinals are committed to an eight-man bullpen for the foreseeable future, officials said.
One reason is caution.
The Cardinals have taken a conservative approach with former closer Trevor Rosenthal, first avoiding using him on back-to-back days and then, on Tuesday, being hands off entirely. Carrying an extra reliever allows the team to tread carefully with workloads, whether it’s for lefty Kevin Siegrist or Rosenthal.
“He said he was a little sore, so we back off,” manager Mike Matheny said.