JUPITER, Fla. - The Cardinals released veteran infielder Ronny Cedeno Tuesday, a move that signals Pete Kozma will be the starting shortstop to open the season.
Cedeno was signed to a one-year, $1.15 million contract in late January but struggled both in the field and at the plate this spring.
“As we were trying to put it all together, it just wasn’t fair to drag him on,” said manager Mike Matheny. “We wanted to give him an opportunity to catch on with somebody else when it became apparent which direction we were going to do. We just tried to do one, what’s best for our club and two, what’s best for our guys.”
Cedeno was seen hugging teammates in the clubhouse after the game.
“It’s part of baseball,” Cedeno said. “It surprised me a little bit, but it’s part of baseball. I have no control of that.”
