Rotation Shakeup Reportedly May Be On Way For Cardinals Involving Top Prospect

St. Louis' starting rotation may look different shortly

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Changes may be on the way for the St. Louis Cardinals.

St. Louis entered the 2023 season with extremely high expectations after winning 93 games in 2022 but hasn't been able to live up to them so far this season. The Cardinals had an atrocious April that landed them in last place in the National League, but the club has begun to turn things around in May.

The Cardinals currently are 25-32 and are in last place in the NL Central, but are just four and a half games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers. St. Louis has begun to turn things around, but if it wants to take another step forward, the club's starting rotation needs to take a step forward. The Cardinals likely will be busy around the trade deadline and have been rumored to acquire a new starting pitcher, but something may need to be done ahead of time.

A shakeup reportedly may be on the way for St. Louis and one player who could find himself having a larger role shortly is No. 4 prospect Matthew Liberatore, according to The Athletic's Katie Woo. 

"Cardinals will use the two off days on Wednesday and Thursday to restructure the rotation. They will not be using a six-man rotation going forward. Fifth spot will be either (Steven Matz) or (Matthew Liberatore)."

Many have clamored throughout the season for a bigger role for Liberatore. The 23-year-old left-handed hurler was selected in the first round of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft and has risen up the organization's farm system. Liberatore has shined in Triple-A with a 3.13 ERA in eight starts this season and so far has made three appearances for St. Louis while pitching to a 4.91 ERA.  

Matz has struggled so far this season for the Cardinals and has compiled a 5.60 ERA in 11 appearances to go along with an 0-6 record. The 32-year-old has made one appearance out of the bullpen and allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings pitched while striking out four batters. 

The Cardinals' starting rotation has been the team's biggest headache this season. St. Louis has plenty of star power and should at least compete for a postseason berth this year, but if changes aren't made to the rotation that may not happen. Adding Liberatore to the rotation permanently plus an addition around the trade deadline could be exactly what the club needs.

More MLB: Cardinals Reportedly Receive Rough Injury News; What's Next For St. Louis?