JUPITER, Fla. — Once out of sight and now twice delayed by soreness and illness, Jack Flaherty will make his first appearance of spring training on the main stage Monday afternoon, and there to greet him will be a few champions.
Flaherty first start of this exhibition spring will be against the Houston Astros, and atop their defending World Series winners' lineup is two MVPs, one of the league and the other of the Fall Classic. While many lineups around the game, including the Cardinals, are stripped of some stars by the World Baseball Classic, Houston still has these familiar names batting first and second:
• Jose Altuve, 2B
• Jeremy Pena, SS
Flaherty's only other game appearance of spring was a week ago on the back fields as he threw in a simulated game.