JUPITER, Fla. -- Miguel Socolovich has the lowest ERA and stingiest batting average against of any Cardinals reliever (minimum 18 innings) from 2015-16, and yet he is heading into the final week of Spring Training unsure whether he'll even be in the organization next month.
Socolovich appears a frontrunner for the Cardinals' final bullpen spot, though nothing is assured. The Cardinals have 17 pitchers remaining in big league camp, and manager Mike Matheny hasn't officially settled on an Opening Day roster that features seven relievers.
Yet Socolovich's case for inclusion is strong.
It helps that Socolovich is out of options, meaning that if he doesn't begin the season with the Cardinals, he could be plucked off waivers by another club.