Flaherty (0-2) compiled four strikeouts and allowed an earned run on one hit over 2.2 innings in Tuesday's 1-0 exhibition loss to the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Flaherty is slated open the season as the No. 5 starter with Adam Wainwright sidelined due to a hamstring injury. The 22-year-old right-hander offers plenty of upside, but the actual results at the big-league level have yet to catch up with his potential. Flaherty generated a 6.33 ERA over 21.2 innings with the Cardinals in 2017 and followed that up with a 4.60 ERA -- a number partly comprised of four home runs surrendered -- over 15.2 innings this spring.

Flaherty is expected to open the 2018 season in the Cardinals' starting rotation, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was reported Sunday morning that Adam Wainwright suffered a strained left hamstring, so he'll be required to open the season on the 10-day disabled list. Flaherty -- who was removed from major-league camp last Sunday -- is expected to fill the void in the rotation for as long as Wainwright is sidelined. The 22-year-old is one of the top prospects in the Cardinals' system but struggled in his 2017 debut, posting a 6.33 ERA and 20:10 K:BB over 21.1 innings of work. As things line up, he could be tasked with facing the Brewers twice and Reds once in his early-season starts.

Flaherty was moved from Cardinals spring training to minor-league camp Sunday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although Flaherty was able to log plenty of strikeouts this spring, he'll likely return to Triple-A Memphis when the upcoming season begins. Over four Grapefruit League games (13 innings) he posted a 20:5 K:BB, but also gave up nine hits, resulting in him surrendering seven runs. He struggled to keep the ball in the park, as three of said hits were home runs.

Flaherty (0-1), who racked up eight strikeouts and allowed an earned run on three hits and two walks over five innings in a 1-0 Grapefruit League loss to the Orioles, has successfully developed and deployed a two-seam fastball this spring, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

One of the organization's top prospects, Flaherty has been working with manager Mike Matheny and pitching coach Mike Maddux throughout spring on perfecting the pitch. Both have monitored the right-hander's bullpen and live batting practice sessions, encouraging him to experiment with both the grip and how he sequences the pitch. The results have been impressive, as Flaherty has now racked up 20 strikeouts over 13 exhibition frames following Thursday's dominant outing. Although he's slated to begin the season at Triple-A Memphis, the vast difference between the 2017 version of Flaherty and the pitcher that's been mowing down hitters this spring is noticeable to everyone around him. "There isn't a finish line there for Jack," catcher Carson Kelly, who also caught Flaherty for most of his starts at Triple-A last season, said. "He keeps going. I've seen a difference between this year and last year. He seems more poised."

Flaherty compiled seven strikeouts and gave up two earned runs on two hits and one walk over four innings in Tuesday's 4-4 Grapefruit League tie with the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

The 22-year-old right-hander doubled up his workload from his first two outings and was impressive from a swing-and-miss perspective. Flaherty did get touched up for a two-run home run by Lewis Brinson in his final frame, but he gave up only a single otherwise. It was an encouraging outing for the starting-rotation hopeful, who's partly offset his unsightly 6.75 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP, .207 BAA and 12:3 K:BB over eight frames in three spring training appearances.

Flaherty has just an outside shot at cracking the Opening Day rotation and is likely to open at Triple-A Memphis, the Cardinals' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Flaherty posted a 6.33 ERA in 21.1 innings in the majors last season, though it came with a more palatable 4.41 xFIP. In 148.2 innings split between Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis, he recorded an impressive 2.18 ERA. He's still just 22, so the Cardinals will likely keep him in the minors to start the year to work on his secondary pitches.

Flaherty will start the Cardinals' Grapefruit League opener Friday against the Marlins, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Teams typically lean heavily on their younger arms early on in the exhibition slate before veteran pitchers increase their workloads closer to the start of the season, so it's not surprising that the 22-year-old Flaherty will garner the first start of the spring rather than the Cardinals' more established options. Flaherty may receive a token shot to audition for spot in the big-league rotation this spring, but Miles Mikolas and Adam Wainwright look like safe bets to win back-end rotation roles. Flaherty, who posted a 2.74 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 85.1 innings with Triple-A Memphis in 2017 before garnering a late-season promotion to the majors, is thus likely to open the upcoming campaign in the minors, though he may rank first in line to enter the St. Louis rotation in the event of an injury.

Flaherty (0-2) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings in a losing effort against the Brewers on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Flaherty stumbled out of the gates, allowing four runs in the first inning. He settled in and gave up just three hits over his final four frames, but the damage was already done. This was a disappointing way to end the season, especially considering the Brewers were resting some of their heavy hitters. Flaherty, 21, is an intriguing prospect to watch, but it looks like he still needs more seasoning in the minor leagues.

Flaherty will start Sunday against the Brewers, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Flaherty will get the nod in the finale as Carlos Martinez gets a head start on his offseason. It will be Flaherty's fifth career start at the big-league level. The 21-year-old has struggled to this point, but he was excellent at Triple-A Memphis before getting the call and looks like a potential mid-rotation starter in his peak years.

Flaherty will slide into a bullpen role for the rest of the 2017 season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Flaherty struggled mightily during his previous start against the Reds on Tuesday, allowing two earned runs in just two innings of work off three hits and a walk. The top prospect will see time in a relief role for the last few weeks, while John is set to take his place in the rotation.