JUPITER, Fla. • When he saw his name listed as a pitcher who could throw in a minor-league game Wednesday, Bud Norris knew it was optional.
By the end of Tuesday, it was desirable.
Thumped during his major-league appearance Tuesday against the Mets, the Cardinals’ righthander reliever eagerly accepted an inning on the back fields Wednesday. Against an affiliate from his first team, the Astros, Norris allowed a single on a wind-blown pop up and then dispatched the next two batters, expediently. He got a ground-ball double play and a strikeout to give him the reset he wanted and appearances on back-to-back days the Cardinals offered.