Cardinals Look to Andre Pallante as Temporary Fifth Starter Amid Pitching Struggles

In 2022, a Cardinals pitcher moved between the bullpen and the starting rotation, ultimately making ten starts. In nine of those starts, he allowed three runs or less, and in seven, he pitched at least into the fifth inning. While the underlying metrics weren’t outstanding, he proved reliable for a team in need of emergency starts.

That pitcher is Andre Pallante.

As the Cardinals search for a fifth starter to temporarily bolster the rotation, they should consider Pallante for the role. Sources suggest he might start on Wednesday against the Reds (though some say no starter has been named yet), and unless he struggles significantly, he should hold that spot for now.

I realize this might not be a popular opinion, but Pallante wouldn’t be a permanent solution and he shouldn’t be. There are other options the team should consider, starting with trading for a fifth starter. The team’s pitching depth is clearly lacking, and it’s evident that there isn’t much confidence in the current in-house options. The Cardinals don’t need an ace and could find a serviceable fifth starter without giving up too much. Even in May, there are teams willing to trade pitching, and the Cardinals should act quickly if they’re serious about contending.

The team could have even considered signing Brad Keller, who was cut by the White Sox and later signed with the Red Sox. (Although, it’s uncertain if Keller would have been interested in joining the Cardinals.) Keller wouldn’t have saved the season or become an ace, but he could have provided some needed innings.

Despite the evident need for more pitching, it seems outside help isn’t coming just yet. Given that, something needs to change in the fifth rotation spot, and Pallante is the next logical choice.

While it would be exciting to see what Sem Robberse, who has impressed in his 10 starts at AAA, could do in the majors, I understand the team wanting him to gain more experience. Considering how often the Cardinals have mishandled pitching development (I still shudder at what happened with Johan Oviedo in 2021), I’m not against ensuring a prospect isn’t rushed, especially when there’s another option with major league starting experience.

Pallante likely won’t be spectacular, but he’ll be an improvement over Matthew Liberatore. It’s clear to everyone but the front office and management that the Liberatore experiment was doomed, and it predictably ended in disaster. Liberatore should stay in the bullpen, and the Cardinals need someone they can somewhat trust to take the mound every fifth day.

For now, Pallante seems to be the best bet.