Suspension Was ‘Blessing In Disguise’ For Reyes

ST. LOUIS—When the Cardinals had the chance, they opted not to add righthander Alex Reyes to the 40-man roster and end his suspension in time to have a normal season. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t keep a normal schedule.

Throughout the final 39 games of his 50-game suspension for marijuana use, the organization’s top prospect made regular, scheduled starts in extended spring training.

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As the Cardinals readied for Reyes’ return on May 22 with a planned start at Triple-A Memphis, he had thrown nearly 40 innings, exactly the same as the starters already in the Redbirds’ rotation.

“He’ll be ready,” general manager John Mozeliak said. “That was the idea.”

Reyes, 21, pitched 62/3 innings and struck out 13 in his penultimate start of extended spring. His fastball was clocked from 97-100 mph, and according to the team’s internal information, he has touched 101.

Reyes has been able to sustain his high velocity deep into his starts. He hesitantly referred to the suspension as a “blessing in disguise” because he’s used the time in the exhibition games to refine pitches without the pressure of results.

Reyes, who signed out of the Dominican Republic in December 2012, will reach Memphis with better control of that rocket fastball, a curveball that has always been sharp and a changeup. The Cardinals believe he has the best arm the system has produced since Rick Ankiel a generation ago.

The Cardinals expects Reyes to contribute this season as a reliever, just as Trevor Rosenthal and Carlos Martinez did in recent years after rising as starters. The work during extended spring—which was permitted by rule because tickets aren’t sold—allowed him to pack on innings.

“All I can do is go out now and prove that I’m not that person,” Reyes said.

REDBIRD CHIRPS

• Lefthander Dean Kiekhefer, who impressed during spring training, made his major league debut on May 14 and struck out four batters. He’s been working on a changeup to throw to righties so he could be more than a specialist.

• With Jeremy Hazelbaker having already tied the club record for pinch-hit home runs (three) by mid-May, the Cardinals opted to stash Tommy Pham at Triple-A when he returned from an oblique muscle strain he sustained on Opening Day.