St. Louis Cardinals: The Alex Reyes question is now harder to answer
By David Hill
In theory, Alex Reyes should be a key part of the St. Louis Cardinals‘ future. The fireballing righty had once been considered a future ace but appeared to have found a home in the ninth inning. He was named to his first All Star Game in 2021 as he took over the closer role, and despite the Cardinals saying that they wanted to stretch him out as a starter once again, Reyes seemed at his best in those short stints.
Those plans never got off the ground in the first place anyway. Reyes felt shoulder discomfort in spring training and was shut down. That shoulder issue may end his season before it began as he is set to undergo surgery at the end of May, potentially costing him the rest of the year.
St. Louis Cardinals have major question mark in Alex Reyes
There is no questioning Reyes’ potential when he is on the mound. He has posted a 2.86 ERA and a 1.345 WHiP in his 145 innings, striking out 177 batters. Although his command has been shaky with 97 walks, he has minimized the damage by allowing just 98 hits and 12 homers.
The problem is getting Reyes on the mound. He pitched in 72.1 of his 145 career innings last season despite having appeared in parts of five major league seasons. In addition to his upcoming shoulder surgery, Reyes has gone under the knife for a torn tendon and had Tommy John surgery in 2019.
Those surgeries and time on the Injured List will leave Reyes with more than five years of major league “experience,” although he has just two full seasons in that time, provided one counts the pandemic year. This will leave him a year away from free agency this offseason despite the Cardinals still not knowing what they have in him.
That is the question for St. Louis. They can take a chance that Reyes will be able to take the mound in 2023 and bring him back next year. Or, they can decide that his track record is not worth the potential and decline to offer him a contract. This latest injury could very well mark the end of his time with the Cardinals.
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Alex Reyes is likely to miss yet another season. His injury history leaves the St. Louis Cardinals in a difficult spot as they look towards next year.