Cardinals pitcher Kwang Hyun Kim, right, and pitching prospect Johan Oviedo head to the mound during the seventh day of "Summer Camp" at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Friday, July 10, 2020. Photo by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com

Whenever, however he was being used in a game or, in the past few months, throwing bullpens with catcher Yadier Molina in Florida, rookie Junior Fernandez referred to a note he and pitching coach Mike Maddux committed to paper and he committed to using as a compass.

It reminds him regardless of the situation, regardless of the opponent, and regardless of the spot in the game to pitch to his strengths.

Now that Im here Im ready for everything, Fernandez said Friday evening at Busch Stadium. Here you have to be ready for everything any role, any time they call, any time they say youve got to be ready, youve got the next guy. With the plan that I set up, it doesnt matter who I face, doesnt matter what inning I pitch. Im always ready, and I come with the mindset that nobody can hit against me. Pitch with my strengths.

The note gives him direction.

That should help in a shortened season that will start backward and inspire teams to consider reverse-engineering games from the bullpen forward. The 60-game sprint for the postseason starts with a dash of September in July. Rather than end the season with expanded rosters, clubs will begin that way opening with a 30-man roster, as many as 17 pitchers, and handfuls of reasons to go sooner and more often to a deeper bullpen.

Its definitely more backwards than any of us are used to in our game, manager Mike Shildt said. But so are our circumstances. And we adjust and figure it out. I do feel like our ability to understand that weve got a bit more moving parts, with a more abbreviated spring training (makes) sense and literally guys get their legs under them. I feel like our approach is fairly aggressive. With more options, I could see the point of it, allowing for more aggressiveness knowing the next day youre got protection.

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Beefed-up rosters give Cardinals opening to flex versatility, depth of bullpen - St. Louis Post-Dispatch