St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore shut down the Phillies' potent lineup on Sunday afternoon, spinning six shutout innings while giving up just three singles and one walk and striking out seven. Liberatore improved his ERA to 3.93 and has an even better 1.91 FIP after his first three starts of the season. He has racked up 18 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings and gone at least six innings in each of his three starts. The 25-year-old lefty is off to a strong start to the season and makes sense as a streaming play or NL-only addition after his strong start to the season. His next turn in the rotation is scheduled for Friday night against the Mets in New York.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore has been named the team's fifth starter. The Arizona native was decent in spurts a season ago but could never put it all together consistently. He spent most of his 86 innings out of the bullpen (six starts) in 2024, but the Reds will give him another go in the rotation. Liberatore has been solid this spring, compiling a 1.62 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in 16.2 innings of work (one start). It's unclear whether or not the former first-round pick will impact fantasy this season, but it's certainly intriguing that the Cardinals continue to give him chances in the rotation. He's nothing more than a late-round lottery ticket at this point and can be found by fantasy managers on waiver wires until he proves he's worth a roster spot.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore has been named the team's fifth starter. The Arizona native was decent in spurts a season ago but could never put it all together consistently. He spent most of his 86 innings out of the bullpen (six starts) in 2024, but the Cardinals will give him another go in the rotation. Liberatore has been solid this spring, compiling a 1.62 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in 16 2/3 innings of work (one start). It's unclear whether or not the former first-round pick will impact fantasy this season, but it's certainly intriguing that the Cardinals continue to give him chances in the rotation. He's nothing more than a late-round lottery ticket at this point and can be found by fantasy managers on waiver wires until he proves he's worth a roster spot.

The Athletic's Katie Woo writes that all inclinations are that the St. Louis Cardinals are leaning towards using left-hander Matthew Liberatore as a multi-inning reliever (a role he excelled in last year) instead as starting-pitching depth. Liberatore has been dominant in spring games so far, retiring 21 of the 22 batters he's faced without allowing a hit. Manager Oliver Marmol said that the 25-year-old southpaw looks to be on a mission this year, but a path to fantasy relevance is unlikely unless he is given a starting-rotation spot. Based on results alone, Liberatore has been much more effective as a reliever -- 3.89 career ERA in relief as opposed to a 5.86 ERA as a starter -- which is why it makes the most sense for him to open the 2025 season out of the bullpen. After moving to relief last August, he had a 25% strikeout rate and 2.67 ERA out of the 'pen.

St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore, who served as a dependable reliever for the team in 2024, said that he's preparing to be a starter in spring training and for the 2025 regular season. "It's easier to go from five innings to one than one to five," Liberatore said. MLB's John Denton writes that the key for Liberatore will be getting better against right-handed hitters, and that could ultimately determine if the Cardinals are comfortable giving him a starting-rotation spot to begin the regular season. The 25-year-old southpaw and former first-rounder by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018 held a 4.40 ERA and 1.23 WHIP overall with a career-high 76 strikeouts and 28 walks in 86 innings over 60 outings (six starts) for St. Louis last year, but he had an ERA under 4.00 in relief. In his career as a starter, Liberatore holds an ERA just south of 6.00.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore recorded eight strikeouts without allowing a run across six innings of work, picking up his second win of the year during his start against the Atlanta Braves in Wednesday's doubleheader. Drawing the start for the Cardinals on short notice in Game 2 of Wednesday's twin bill, Liberatore was stellar in what was easily his best display of the season. The 24-year-old left-hander has plenty of untapped potential; he was the top pitching prospect in St. Louis' farm system just three years ago. Although it's unclear how manager Oliver Marmol will elect to use Liberatore going forward, he's suddenly someone to monitor closely in fantasy leagues moving ahead. Liberatore now carries a 3.86 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 36 punchouts and 16 walks over 44 1/3 innings (five starts), tentatively lining up to start next week in a favorable spot on the road against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore will start Monday's game against the Los Angeles Angels, according to manager Oliver Marmol. Liberatore is primarily used as a reliever, but he has started one other game this season. He went 3 2/3 innings in that outing against the Chicago White Sox, giving up one run on three hits with five strikeouts. The 24-year-old was once a top pitching prospect in the Cardinals season and has a five-pitch mix. His leash may not be overly long in Monday's start, but he is an alright streaming option against a Trout-less Angels offense.

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Matthew Liberatore (illness) was unavailable for this past weekend's three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks because of an illness, but manager Oliver Marmol said that the hurler will rejoin the team on Monday for the start of the three-game series against the Oakland Athletics. Having not pitched since last Tuesday, it sounds like Liberatore is feeling better and should be available out of the bullpen on Monday. The 24-year-old southpaw was the top pitching prospect in St. Louis' farm system not long ago, and while he's settling in as a key bullpen piece for the Cards, it's a far cry from the expectations he once garnered. Liberatore owns a solid 3.52 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with five strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings primarily working as a middle-reliever this year, which is a role that doesn't lend itself to very much fantasy appeal at the moment.

The St. Louis Cardinals placed left-hander Matthew Liberatore (back) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 19) on Tuesday with lower-back tightness and selected the contract of pitcher Jacob Barnes from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move. Liberatore's frustrating season in 2023 continues, as he'll now have to miss at least the next two weeks. His back issue cropped up in his last start on Aug. 16 and he apparently didn't recover enough to make his start this week. The 23-year-old southpaw is still young, but he's been a pretty big disappointment ever since St. Louis acquired him in the trade that sent All-Star outfielder Randy Arozarena to the Tampa Bay Rays. Liberatore is 2-5 this year with a 6.12 ERA (4.47 FIP), 1.64 WHIP and 35 strikeouts in 50 innings over 12 outings (11 starts).

St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore is making Thursday's start against Sonny Gray and the Minnesota Twins. The former top prospect has pitched 32 innings for the Cards this season, posting a 6.75 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, and 13.9% strikeout rate over nine games and eight starts, but hasn't been in the big leagues since July 5. With Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery off the roster, Liberatore should have a long-term spot on the roster, but he needs to display the talent that made him a first-round draft pick before he becomes fantasy relevant.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore has been optioned to Triple-A Memphis while right-hander Kyle Leahy has been recalled in a corresponding move. Liberatore has struggled to find his footing in the big leagues to this point after debuting last season. Across 18 outings (15 starts) with the Cardinals, Liberatore owns a 6.35 ERA, including a 6.75 mark across nine appearances (eight starts) this season. While he owns an improved 4.70 FIP, the southpaw also sports a 5.57 SIERA and a weak 3.8% K-BB% across 32 innings of work. For his part, Leahy owns a 4.03 ERA across 28 appearances at Triple-A, 25 of which have come out of the bullpen.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore is scheduled to take the ball for the series finale in London on Sunday Originally, Jack Flaherty was scheduled to pitch, but he has been scratched due to hip tightness. That being said, Liberatore will take the ball against the red-hot Cubbies. The 23-year-old has struggled heavily during his six appearances with the Cardinals this season. He holds a 6.12 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and an 18/12 K/BB ratio across 25 innings. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a streaming option on Sunday.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore turned in a solid outing in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Giants. Liberatore pitched six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts. It was the 23-year-old's first quality start of his career and he now owns a 5.14 ERA with a 6.86 K/9 rate and 4.29 BB/9 rate in five appearances (four starts). It was an encouraging sign for fantasy managers, but things will not get easier for the prospect in his next scheduled start at the Mets. Fantasy managers should avoid starting him until he proves he can pitch well consistently at the big-league level.

Updating a previous report, St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore will make his next start on Friday on the road against the Cleveland Guardians, according to the team. The Cardinals' No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, impressed with five shutout innings and six strikeouts in his major-league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 17, but he struggled in his first relief appearance against the Los Angeles Dodgers last Sunday. The 23-year-old southpaw has a chance to secure a regular rotation spot for the Red Birds with another solid outing on Friday, and he'll probably be a popular streaming option in fantasy in a plus matchup. The Guardians rank dead-last in the American League with a .643 OPS through 48 games.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that left-handed pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore will start one of the three games this weekend on the road against the Cleveland Guardians. Liberatore dazzled in his MLB debut in a start on May 17 against the Milwaukee Brewers, throwing five scoreless innings while walking three and striking out six. In last appearance (in relief) on May 21, he gave up two runs in an inning of work against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 23-year-old southpaw is the team's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and should already be stashed in most fantasy leagues for his upside. It remains to be seen if he'll stick in St. Louis' rotation past this weekend, but he's certainly worth a look as a streamer in a plus matchup against Cleveland.

St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore will get another start on the team's upcoming Ohio road trip against the Cincinnati Reds, according to manager Oliver Marmol. If a situation arises for Liberatore in the bullpen this weekend, it could be an option, but it doesn't sound like a likely one. Liberatore tossed five scoreless innings with three walks and six strikeouts in his 2023 debut on Wednesday in a win over the Milwaukee Brewers, so the 23-year-old left-hander definitely has earned at least a short-term stay in the team's starting rotation. Liberatore was also pitching very well in the minors before being called up and he's the team's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. If he's available on your league's waiver wire, pick him up now, especially if you need pitching help.

St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore will be recalled and start on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Liberatore struggled in his first taste of the majors in 2022, but has been rock solid for Triple-A Memphis this season with a 3.13 ERA and 56 strikeouts over his first 46 innings. His only blemish has been giving up too many walks and he will need to correct that to reach his full potential. Despite the walks, the lefty should be expected to remain part of a struggling Cardinals rotation for now. He is worthy of a speculative add in most formats.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore owns a 3-1 record with a 2.60 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 36:9 K:BB across 27 2/3 innings for Triple-A Memphis in 2023. Liberatore is the Cardinals' No. 6 prospect and could join the starting rotation soon. He is fine-tuning his velocity, with his fastball ticked up into the mid-90s during spring training. The 23-year-old struggled in his cup of coffee in the majors, posting a 5.97 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, and 28:18 K:BB across 34 2/3 innings in 2022. Adam Wainwright (groin) is expected to come off the injured list and rejoin the Cardinals rotation soon. It might take another injury for the Cardinals to promote Liberatore to the big leagues. Fantasy managers should continue to stash the southpaw in all leagues for now.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore is finding success at the topmost level of the minors. In his season debut this past week, he tossed five shutout innings, struck out seven batters, and earned the win. Success is nothing new for Liberatore, who generated 9.08 K/9, 3.21 BB/9, and a 4.27 xFIP in Triple-A last year. He eventually earned a call to the majors, going 2-2 while limiting home runs but struggling to locate the strike zone. It was pretty evident that he would benefit from starting 2023 in the minors, but the Cardinals can only hold him down so long. Within another quality start or two, Liberatore should rejoin the big-league squad. Liberatore is still working on refining his velocity, but he currently sits low-to-mid-90s with his fastball and sinker. These offerings allow him to set the tone in at-bats, but what really keeps hitters on edge is the threat of his curveball, which far and away grades out as his best pitch. He locates it nicely and has no trouble using it to generate swings and misses.

In his first start of the 2023 season, St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore threw five scoreless innings in Triple-A. The southpaw struck out seven and generated 17 whiffs in a 9-1 win over the Charlotte Knights. The 2018 first-round pick has struggled to develop anything from his five-pitch arsenal in years past, but his curveball generated a 77% whiff rate on Friday. After a disastrous 2022 season where he had a 5.00+ ERA at both the Triple-A and major-league levels, the Cardinals' sixth-ranked prospect needs to sustain this level of play to get another chance in their major-league rotation.