Cardinals newcomer Oh impresses in first appearance

JUPITER, Fla. -- The St. Louis Cardinals wanted to get a quick look at the newest addition to their bullpen, Seung-Hwan Oh.

That's exactly what they got.

The 33-year-old Korean-born reliever needed only 12 pitches to retire Florida Atlantic University in order in the third inning of Wednesday's 13-6 exhibition victory.

"Kind of what we thought we would see," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. "He took a little off, put a little on, and it's hard to tell from the side because he adds and subtracts movement. He's just got a real good idea how to use his stuff."

St. Louis signed the South Korean-born righty from the Japanese professional ranks during the offseason.

Oh induced a groundout and flyout before striking out Austin Langham to end the frame.

"I fouled off a splitter -- I'm pretty sure it was a splitter -- and then I just swung through a fastball and missed it," Langham said.

Oh was the lone pitcher expected to make the Cardinals' opening day roster who saw action against FAU. St. Louis trailed much of the way before rallying for 12 runs in an eighth inning highlighted by Jacob Wilson's grand slam.

Cardinals prospect Austin Gomber, pitching against his former school, started the game and tossed two perfect innings, striking out three.

"He was terrific," Matheny said. "The hook was sharp. He even threw some good changeups. Locating his fastball. He was a definite bright spot today."

Starting time

Matheny announced his pitching plans for the first three Grapefruit League games: Tyler Lyons on Thursday against Miami, Jaime Garcia will travel with the team and make his spring debut on Friday at Houston, Marco Gonzales gets the ball on Saturday against Miami.

Trainer's room

Pitcher Carlos Martinez ended last season with a sore shoulder and the Cards have been taking it slowly with him this spring. Matheny said Martinez is close to facing live hitters. "He's just about at the point where he's kind of at that spot," Matheny said. "We have an idea. We've kind of got a date marked in pencil as to where we think he'll be ready to throw in a game and work backward from there to get him some higher intensity stuff. He's throwing his sides right where he needs to be right now."