Say it Ain’t So, Joe

As your faithful Preacher, most of my time is spent looking at how the best prospects can help in St. Louis sooner or later. But as happens on occasion, those posts take a back seat when the injury bug strikes at an inopportune time. Joe Kelly appears to be in danger of missing his next start and that opens the door for many different possibilities.

It would seem natural to slide Carlos Martinez, runner-up in the fifth starter derby, back into his preferred role especially if it may only be for one outing. The issue isn’t with anything Martinez has done, however, and the back-end of the bullpen needs its right side of the dynamic duo. There is plenty of season left should C-Mart be called upon with Jason Motte the natural replacement.

In all honesty there is really only one option for Kelly’s spot in the rotation, and Tyler Lyons certainly put to rest any lingering problems from Spring Training. The Memphis ace has continued his roll thru the Pacific Coast League and as luck would have it, Lyons just happens to share the same day as Kelly so further moving parts is not a concern.

But wait, how can you say he is the only option? At this point in the campaign, roster flexibility is key and Lyons has one huge advantage over every other healthy competitor. The Cardinals do have a spot available on the 40-man roster but Lyons already owns one, so just as the tie goes to the runner, all signs point to St. Louis employing a lefty for the first time this season in New York.

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