JUPITER, Fla. — Jack Flaherty’s performance this season, for better or worse, figures to have a large impact on the outlook of the Cardinals' starting pitching rotation this season. If he’s healthy and returns to past form, it elevates the entire staff.
So Flaherty not starting Monday’s Grapefruit League game against the New York Mets, which was televised nationally on ESPN, either is eyebrow-raising or panic-enducing depending upon your level of pessimism.
After all, injury limited him to just 36 innings last season and 78u2153 in 2021.
While Flaherty didn’t pitch in Roger Dean Stadium on Monday, the right-hander did throw the equivalent of two innings on a back field in a simulated game.