Cardinals' Trevor Rosenthal: Strikes out side in '17 debut

Rosenthal (back), who was activated from the 10-day disabled list earlier Monday, struck out the side in his one inning in the Cardinals' 14-6 loss to the Nationals. As per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals are likely to limit the former closer to a one-inning role for the time being.

Rosenthal had been stretched out this spring with the hopes of converting him into either a multi-inning option out of the bullpen -- in the mold of the Indians' Andrew Miller -- or even a full-fledged starter. However, an early-spring lat injury in the weight room and subsequent difficulties after two multi-inning outings led to his placement on the 10-day DL and delayed his 2017 debut until Monday night. While his role could eventually expand, manager Mike Matheny will take the cautious approach with Rosenthal for the time being. "I think we've learned too that his body didn't respond well," Matheny said. "I don't think he's destined to just be a one-inning guy, but for right now he's going to have to be efficient. That's always been his hangup. We'd love to pitch him more than one inning. He's got to keep his pitch count down. He's got to be efficient and effective, and we'll just see how it plays out."