ST. LOUIS • To make room on the 40-man roster for four talents the Cardinals did not want to lose in the Rule 5 draft, the Cardinals first had to risk losing two minor-league pitchers who they protected a year ago.
The Cardinals added pitchers Ryan Helsley and Genesis Cabrera, as expected, to the 40-man roster by Tuesday's deadline. They also added outfielder Lane Thomas and infielder Ramon Urias, a breakout hitter for the team who reached Class AAA Memphis this past season. That left the Cardinals in need of clearing two spots in the 40-man roster.