Rosenthal (back) is expected to start Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

It will be Rosenthal's first game action since straining his right lat two weeks ago and will also mark his first start since 2012. Evidently, the Cardinals are attempting to prepare the former-closer for a long-relief role heading into the season. "They're just trying to lengthen me out to increase the options," said Rosenthal. "We can always backtrack and go back to a more specified one-inning role." The right-hander is only expected to last a couple innings Thursday before handing off the ball to John Gant.