The Cardinals closer, Jason Motte finished the season tied for most saves (42) in the National League and will start this season with a “mild elbow strain” and on the disabled list.
“Right now it’s going to slow him down,” Mozeliak said. “We’re certainly going to be aggressive with the rehab. The DL is likely going to happen.”
After Motte pitched an inning against the New York Mets last week, and after the game he felt stiffness in his arm.
“It tightened up a little bit in my forearm,” Motte said. “I felt fine out there (on the mound). It says it’s a little muscle strain; it’s a little tight. I did all my arm stuff afterward (and) felt fine. I don’t know if it was the adrenaline or whatever but I didn’t feel anything when I was throwing.”
As Motte heals his elbow, the Cardinals will need to heal the bullpens’ open closing spot.
At this point the closer does not have a return date set, but Mozeliak has announced that leading candidate, Mitchell Boggs will step in to the closer’s role.
Boggs, a hard-throwing sinker/slider pitcher, has minimal closing experience; he has four saves recorded and finished 20 games in 2011.
Motte was the sole Red Bird to record a save last season, but Boggs blew three saves in 2012. Over a five-year Major League Career, Boggs’ era stands at 3.80.
The Cardinals are hoping that Motte can recover quickly, and in the meantime, hope the team will step up.
“We’ll pray for a quick healing,” Manager Mike Matheny said. “If that doesn’t happen, someone else is going to take the position and make the most of it.”
