WASHINGTON — The schedule allows the Cardinals to downsize to a four-man rotation for the next week as they buy time to figure out who will be their fifth starter.
The calendar indicates they’ll have that answer by Tuesday.
The Cardinals’ adjustment to their rotation came, not coincidentally, as the trade deadline approached and increased the urgency they had to add at least a starting pitcher.
“The off day allows us to get away with it,” manager Oliver Marmol said.
With Dakota Hudson’s return from the injured list scheduled for Saturday and an off day Monday, the Cardinals do not need a fifth starter until next weekend at Busch Stadium against the Yankees.