Cardinals Move Steven Matz Back to Bullpen

The Cardinals are shifting left-hander Steven Matz to the bullpen, though manager Oli Marmol emphasized that the move is temporary. With multiple scheduled off days in May, maintaining a six-man rotation presents challenges, prompting the team to adjust its pitching staff accordingly. Despite the shift, Matz has been outstanding this season, posting a 1.50 ERA and 1.89 FIP, including two strong starts where he struck out 11 batters across nine innings without allowing a walk.

While the transition isn't performance-related, the change comes as a surprise for the veteran, who has excelled in his rotation role. The Cardinals plan to keep Matz stretched out, preserving his ability to step back into a starting role if needed. With Erick Fedde and Miles Mikolas struggling to produce consistent results, Matz could find himself returning to the rotation should the Cardinals require reinforcements later in the season.