JUPITER, Fla. • Righthander John Brebbia, who has appeared in 95 games with the Cardinals the past two seasons but never has been on an opening-day roster, will be on one now. Manager Mike Shildt announced Sunday morning that Brebbia had gained the final spot in the seven-man bullpen to flesh out the Cardinals’ 12-man staff for the start of the season in Milwaukee on Thursday.
Brebbia, who had a 3.20 earned run average and a .226 opponents’ average against last season, beat out lefthander Tyler Webb, who will be optioned to Class AAA Memphis, and non-roster lefthander Tommy Layne.