including Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat. The move isn’t necessarily permanent — Marmol said it’s “for the time being” and emphasized that Matz will stay stretched out in case he’s needed again in the rotation. With four off days in May, it’s tough to justify a six-man rotation, which is why Matz started the season in relief before making a couple of starts recently.
Though this change may be temporary, it’s a tough pill to swallow for the soon-to-be 34-year-old, especially since his performance has been excellent. Matz has a 1.50 ERA and a 1.89 FIP this season. In two starts, he’s allowed just one run, struck out 11 of 34 batters, and issued no walks over nine innings. Meanwhile, starters like Erick Fedde and Miles Mikolas have been far less effective.
Still, the decision isn’t without logic. Matz has regularly bounced between starting and relieving in each of his four seasons with St. Louis, a stretch that’s included injuries and inconsistent results. Though he has solid overall numbers (4.15 ERA, 3.78 FIP), in two of those seasons he threw fewer than 50 innings and struggled to stay healthy. His past experience in relief makes him a more natural fit for the bullpen compared to someone like Mikolas, who hasn’t relieved since 2013.
Looking ahead, Matz could be a valuable trade chip if the Cardinals’ 14-19 start turns into a lost season. He’s in the final year of team control, and his strong performance plus ability to work in multiple roles could make him appealing to contenders like the Yankees, Mets, or Rangers. If he stays healthy and continues to pitch well, his versatility might actually boost his trade value.
