Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Joining rotation Thursday
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Liberatore is scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Twins, Joey Schneider of Fox 2 St. Louis reports.
Liberatore is one of two new additions to the St. Louis rotation this week, as Dakota Hudson will also be picking up a start Wednesday as the Cardinals replace the outgoing Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty, who were moved ahead of the trade deadline. After getting out to a hot start over the first month of the season at Triple-A Memphis, Liberatore has struggled to maintain that form while bouncing between the big leagues and minors since the beginning of May. He's been particularly unimpressive over his nine outings (eight starts) with St. Louis, accruing a 6.75 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 3.8 K-BB% in 32 innings. Liberatore will still be worth holding in NL-only leagues since he'll have a fairly clear path to a starting role the rest of the way, but he'll need to show improved results before becoming a trusted lineup option in most mixed leagues.
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Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Back in St. Louis
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The Cardinals recalled Liberatore from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.
Liberatore holds a 6.75 ERA and 1.84 WHIP through 32 innings in the majors this season, and his stats for Memphis since being optioned July 6 haven't been much better. It's unclear whether Liberatore will work out of the bullpen or join the Cardinals' rotation, but the team seems poised to move veterans like Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty by the trade deadline, so there could be a starting role available for the 23-year-old lefty. Andrew Suarez was optioned to Memphis in a corresponding move.
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Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Optioned to Memphis
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St. Louis optioned Liberatore to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.
Liberatore recorded only one out in his last start Wednesday against the Marlins, ultimately being charged with four earned runs on five hits and one walk. The young left-hander heads back to the farm with an overall 6.75 ERA and 1.84 WHIP in 32 major-league frames for the year.
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Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Gets lit up in first inning
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Liberatore didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 10-9 loss to the Marlins after allowing four runs on five hits and one walk while recording just one out.
Liberatore was shelled by the Marlins right from the opening pitch, surrendering four consecutive hits and a walk to kick off the bottom of the first inning before finally getting Jean Segura to fly out to left for the first out. The lefty then gave up another single to Dane Myers to make it a four-run inning for the Marlins before he was pulled in favor of Dakota Hudson. The 21-pitch outing was a disastrous one for Liberatore, who had been starting on three days' rest after previously covering 4.1 innings in a doubleheader last Saturday versus the Yankees. Considering that the Cardinals have an opening in the rotation this Sunday versus the White Sox following Adam Wainwright's (shoulder) recent move to the injured list, Liberatore could be a candidate to start again on three days' rest in St. Louis' final game before the All-Star break.
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Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Drawing start Wednesday
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Liberatore will start for the Cardinals on Wednesday in Miami, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Prior reports suggested that the Cardinals would start Steven Matz, but they've instead decided to give the ball to Liberatore, who will be pitching on short rest. While Liberatore will be working on just three days' rest after starting Saturday versus the Yankees, he threw only 56 pitches in that outing. Liberatore hasn't gone more than 4.1 innings in any of his last three starts, holding a 6.75 ERA and 6:5 K:BB in 10.2 frames over that time.
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Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Loses in nightcap
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Liberatore (1-3) allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out just one over 4.1 innings, taking the loss in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Yankees.
Liberatore has failed to complete five innings in four of his last five outings, and he's given up 12 runs (eight earned) across 10.2 innings in his last three starts. The southpaw was pushed back a day after Friday's rainout, but the extra rest didn't do him much good. With a 5.68 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 22:15 K:BB over 31.2 innings through eight appearances this year, it's fair to question how much more leeway Liberatore has when it comes to staying in the Cardinals' rotation. He could ultimately swap spots with Steven Matz, who is currently in the bullpen, or the Cardinals may opt to bring up a starter from Triple-A Memphis, though no one on the farm is doing much to differentiate themselves. St. Louis will need a spot starter Wednesday due to this doubleheader, and it's possible Liberatore may not start again until after the All-Star break.
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Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Friday's start postponed
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Liberatore's scheduled start against the Yankees has been postponed due to inclement weather, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
The young lefty was scheduled to square off against Luis Severino, but the game will instead be made up as part of a doubleheader Saturday. It's likely Liberatore will start one of the two games of that twin bill.
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Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Pulled in third inning
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Liberatore did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four unearned runs on four hits and two walks over 2.1 innings against the Cubs. He struck out three.
Liberatore was tagged for four runs in the first, but none of them were earned due to two errors from the Cardinals defense. The left-hander was pulled in the third inning at 56 pitches (33 strikes) in favor of Jake Woodford, who earned the win. Liberatore has started six of his seven MLB appearances this season, but Sunday's outing was by far his shortest as a starter, as he completed at least four innings in each of his other starts. The 23-year-old's spot in the rotation remains secure moving forward, especially if Jack Flaherty (hip) has to miss extended time, but Liberatore figures to have a short leash during his outings, with Woodford and Steven Matz available as long-relief options out of the bullpen.
Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Allows season-high five earned runs
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Liberatore did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks over four innings against the Mets. He struck out two.
Liberatore allowed a season-high five earned runs, but he escaped with a no-decision thanks to the Cardinals' offensive explosion. It was a disappointing outing for the left-hander, who was coming off his first quality start of the year, and his ERA has ballooned to 6.12 through six appearances (five starts). The 23-year-old won the fifth-starter gig to start June while Steven Matz shifted to the bullpen, but Liberatore's spot in the rotation isn't guaranteed, especially if he continues to struggle.
Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Yields two runs in no-decision
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Liberatore allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Giants. He struck out five and didn't factor in the decision.
Liberatore coughed up both runs in the third inning but otherwise was able to navigate through the Giants' lineup. After allowing eight earned runs in his last two starts, Monday's outing was his first quality start at the MLB level this season. He dropped his ERA to 5.14 alongside a 16:10 K:BB through 21 innings. Liberatore is lined up to face the Mets on the road this weekend.
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Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Surrenders five runs in loss
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Liberatore (1-2) took the loss Tuesday against the Rangers after allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out two over four innings.
Liberatore started out with a clean opening frame but then proceeded to allow a run apiece in the second and third, and three more in the fourth before his day was over. The 23-year-old has racked up just five strikeouts over his last 10 innings after he had six strikeouts over five innings during his 2023 debut on May 17. Even with his recent struggles, the expectation is that Liberatore will remain in the rotation as the team gauges his readiness for the MLB level after moving Steven Matz to the bullpen. He now stands at a 6.00 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 11:8 K:BB over 15 innings. His next chance to right the ship should come next week against the Giants.
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Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Will start Tuesday
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Liberatore will start Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
After the Cardinals announced they will be shifting to a five-man rotation instead of six, it was unclear whether Liberatore or Steven Matz would take the fifth spot. With the team confirming Liberatore as Tuesday's starter, it appears the 23-year-old lefty has the upper hand at the moment. However, a plan is in place to work Matz back into the rotation, so Liberatore is still at risk of losing his spot should his performance decline.
