John Gant is tracking toward a spot in the starting rotation. For now.
In 2018, the Cardinals, desperate for starting pitchers, turned to Gant to give them 19 starts. He’s not seen the starting rotation since, but the Cardinals have always kept him on a starter’s training schedule. For the last few winters, Gant has arrived in spring stretched out and ready to compete for the rotation, should an opening come his way.
In 2019, the Cardinals pitted Gant against Dakota Hudson. It was a rigged competition. Hudson was the presumptive favorite for the role and he earned it.