Norris, 33, has grown into a 215-pounder as a 6-footer. And he has emerged as a bastion of a Cardinals bullpen that has been revamped with the temporary loss of Luke Gregerson and the sudden, productive inclusion of rookie Jordan Hicks. Soon will come Greg Holland, who will morph into the closer role sometime after he is recalled from the minors in the next couple of days.
On Saturday, Dominic Leone, whose only misstep so far (a significant one, mind you) was in allowing game-tying and game-losing home runs on consecutive pitches in Milwaukee, fanned two in a stylish sixth inning.