Matthew Liberatore said that he wanted the ball on Opening Day, and now he's going to get it as the Cardinals take on the Tampa Bay Rays.
Earlier this offseason, St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore said that he wanted the opportunity to start on Opening Day.
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.
Fast forward to Wednesday and he's gotten it. The lefty was given the responsibility for March 26th's game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. It will be the first Opening Day start of his career.
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.
In 10.0 innings this spring, he's pitched to a 2.70 ERA, striking out 14. He has just one walk.
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore (left) thanks catcher Andy Yerzy (right) after a bullpen session during spring training workouts at Roger Dean Stadium. Reinhold Matay-Imagn ImagesWho else is in the rotation?
When the Cardinals sent down right-hander Richard Fitts to Triple-A on Wednesday morning, the rotation was effectively set.
As long as everyone stays healthy for the next week, Liberatore will be joined by Dustin May, Kyle Leahy, Michael McGreevy and Andre Pallante.
Fitts and Hunter Dobbins, as well as top prospects Jurrangelo Cijntje and Liam Doyle, remain options to help the rotation throughout the season.
Elsewhere in Cardinals news
--The World Baseball Classic ended on Tuesday night with Team Venezuela beating Team USA 3-2 in the final. It's the first title for Venezuela and the Americans haven't won since 2017. This was the sixth iteration of the event, with Team Japan winning three times (2006, 2009, 2023), and the Americans and the Dominican Republic (2013) winning once each.
No Cardinals players were playing in the finals, but former Cardinal Matt Holliday was a hitting coach for Team USA. Former Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras, dealt this offseason, played for Venezuela.
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