MILWAUKEE — For the first pitching roster move of the season, the Cardinals turned to a reliever who was the last cut of spring training and must trust his effectiveness will be worth the wait for his availability.
A few hours after lefty Packy Naughton abruptly left Friday’s game with discomfort in his forearm, Genesis Cabrera boarded a flight to rejoin the Cardinals from Class AAA Memphis. Cabrera threw two innings and 27 pitches for the Triple-A Redbirds on Friday, meaning the Cardinals won’t be able to use him until Sunday’s series finale at the earliest. Manager Oliver Marmol said the choice was guided by one already made in spring — when the Cardinals took lefty Naughton ahead of Genesis.