As race for rotation spot narrows, Gant gets his 'competition reps' in Cardinals backyard

Cardinals pitcher John Gant (right) warms up at spring training as Jordan Hicks watches. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

JUPITER, Fla. • With the Cardinals’ search for a fifth starter narrowing and innings starting to vanish in Grapefruit League games, righthander John Gant went to the back fields for the team called a “reboot” of his schedule. Gant, one of four pitchers vying for the opening in the rotation and one of two who have stated the best case, had a simple approach to the wrinkle.

Gant and lefty Brett Cecil handled the three innings of a squad game against minor-league hitters with minor-league fielders at their back.