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| Cardinals reliever Fernando Salas is making it impossible for the organization not to have him as a vital part of the 2011 bullpen. - Photo courtesy of Getty Images |
It wasn't his performance that kept him in limbo between Triple AAA and the big leagues, but instead his available roster options.
Salas was a solid in 2010 during his multiple stints in St. Louis.
The Huatabampo, Mexico native appeared in 27 games last season, posting a 3.52 ERA in 30.2 innings. Salas showed electric stuff at times, posting 29 strikeouts, good for just 9 strikeouts per 9 innings.
But this spring, Salas is making it virtually impossible for the Cardinals to send him down Highway 55 again.
Instead, the Cardinals should be considering sending Salas out for 8th inning duty to protect leads on a regular basis.
Salas has appeared in 8 games this spring, throwing 9.1 innings, allowing only 1 hit and zero runs.
Yes, I said that Salas has allowed only 1 hit and zero runs this spring and is tied with the most appearances by any other Cardinals reliever with Trevor Miller and Jason Motte.
The 25 year old looks like he is stepping to the plate as Kyle McClellan vacates his set-up role to fill a spot in the rotation.
Its this kind of development that makes the loss of Adam Wainwright easier to swallow.
Salas throws with confidence and his numbers this spring are unheard of.
Now, I'm not sure that in manager Tony La Russa's or pitching coach Dave Duncan's minds that Salas has "earned" the 8th inning job at this point.
But I do know that he has earned a permanent spot in the Cardinals bullpen.
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