The St. Louis Cardinals are just days away from their season-opener against the Tampa Bay Rays, which is set to take place at 3:15 p.m. CT on March 26 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

The Cardinals are set for an interesting season that will see them likely not able to compete for a playoff spot. However, St. Louis will have a lot of young, talented players take the field this season that could define the organization in the future.

Regardless of who begins the season on the Opening Day 26-man roster, the Cardinals will likely make many transactions and moves as the season progresses in efforts of getting a complete look at potential contributors in the farm system.

Despite this fact, St. Louis made an interesting and somewhat shocking move Saturday.

The Cardinals optioned right-handed reliever Gordon Graceffo to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. The 26-year-old right-hander has been predicted to break camp with the team as their long-relief arm out of the bullpen most of this spring, according to FanGraphs. He was also briefly away from the team and competed for Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

According to Belleville News-Democrat reporter Jeff Jones, the move could indicate that 2022 undrafted free agent signee Chris Roycroft could make the Opening Day roster.

Graceffo made his major league debut with St. Louis in 2024, but had just two appearances (one start).

The former Villanova product had a more sustained look in the major leagues last season. He posted a 6.28 ERA and fanned 40 batters in 43 innings pitched across 26 appearances.

This spring, Graceffo fanned two batters in three innings pitched across as many outings. He allowed three total hits, no runs and didn't issue a free base.

Roycroft has received at least 20 appearances in each of the last two seasons.

In 2024, Roycroft posted a 4.19 ERA and registered 33 strikeouts across 34.1 innings pitched in 27 outings.

In 2025, the former Aurora University product fanned 15 hitters in 20.2 innings pitched across 20 appearances and had a 7.84 ERA. 

This spring, Roycroft has a 0.00 ERA across seven innings pitched in as many Grapefruit League outings. He's struck out six batters.

Currently, FanGraphs projects St. Louis' starting rotation to be comprised of the following: Matt Pushard (right-handed) in long relief; Roycroft, George Soriano (right-handed) and Justin Bruihl (left-handed) in middle relief; and Matt Svanson (right-handed), Ryne Stanek (right-handed), JoJo Romero (left-handed) and Riley O'Brien (right-handed) in closer roles.

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