Brad Thompson may have ended spring training on a sour note, but he has earned a spot in the major-league starting rotation, according to MLB.com. Pitching against the Cardinals' Double-A team, Thompson allowed four runs on 10 hits through four innings of work, but he struck out six and didn't allow a single walk.At the end, Thompson is rewarded for a strong spring, going 2-0 with an ERA of 2.76 through 16 1/3 innings, touting 14 strike outs versus just four walks. Thompson started the spring in the mix for a job in the bullpen, but the Cardinals recognized potential and the gamble has, for now, paid off.

Cards lose to Double-A team