Matthew Liberatore is looking to elevate in 2026.
Speaking on Thursday's edition of 'Cardinal Territory,' St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore made an emphatic declaration, saying that he wants to be the team's Opening Day starter when the group breaks camp in late March.
Yeah. I'm not gonna lie. I want it. And it's something I've thought about since the season ended. You know, whether that honor is given to me or not, it's not 100 in my control, but, I'd be lying if I said that I'm not doing everything in my power to force their hand on that.
In addition to Liberatore, veteran Dustin May, who was signed this offseason, would seem to have a case for the Opening Day honor.
About Liberatore
Just 26 years old, Liberatore made his major league debut in 2022. Originally drafted in the first round by the Tampa Bay Rays, he was traded to St. Louis in the deal that sent Randy Arozarena to Tampa (2020).
A reliever for most of 2024, Liberatore broke out in the rotation in 2025, going 8-12 with a 4.21 ERA in 29 starts. He struck out 122 batters in 151.2 innings, so he'll have to continue to develop some swing-and-miss stuff, but he looks like a solid pillar for the rebuilding Cardinals in the rotation.
The Arizona native is under team control through 2029.
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About the rest of the Cardinals staff
In addition to May and Liberatore, Hunter Dobbins, Richard Fitts, Andre Pallante, and Michael McGreevy are all candidates to be in the Opening Day rotation. Dobbins and Fitts were both acquired from the Boston Red Sox this offseason and both dealt with injuries in 2025, so it's unclear if they'll both be ready for spring training when it opens in mid-February.
About the rest of the Cardinals offseason
For the rebuilding Cardinals, there's likely more player movement to come. The team is expected to move on from Nolan Arenado in one capacity or another, and they are also expected to trade left-handed reliever JoJo Romero. Brendan Donovan is one of the best trade chips on the market and the Cardinals could deal him as well, though Chaim Bloom is being steadfast in his desire for premium trade chips. He's under team control through the 2027 season, so there's no imminent pressure to move him if the return isn't right.
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