Back where he had a familiar end Thursday, Reyes found a new beginning as a member of the Cardinals’ opening-day bullpen, with nothing to hide.
Largely absent from the majors for the previous two years because of elbow surgery and shoulder surgery, Reyes remains the team’s top prospect and for the fourth consecutive season has maintained his rookie eligibility. He set out this spring to win a spot — any spot, really — on the opening day roster, and did as one of the team’s righthander relievers. He’ll factor into how the Cardinals answer lefthanded batters because they have sided with stuff over handedness, and Reyes brings some of the best pure stuff on the staff.