Gomber got eight innings into his spring bid for the big-league bullpen, and they likely positioned him to be Class AAA Memphis’ opening day starter. The expanded roster for opening day means the Cardinals will carry 16 or 17 pitches into the first two weeks of the season, and that frees up a spot for Gomber. His role — TBD. Opposite Jack Flaherty on Tuesday, Gomber showed the efficiency asked of starters, the control required of middle relievers, and the swing-and-miss stuff of a late-inning lefty.

He retired the first 11 batters he faced, struck out four of them, and finished 12 outs on 55 pitches. Ten of the 14 batters he faced started behind in the count, 0-1. The penultimate hitter he faced got the first hit against him, and before that only one player got the ball to the outfield. Seven of the nine balls put in play against him did not leave the infield. It echoed, from the left and with breaking balls, what Ponce de Leon has done from the right with his fastballs.

“We have a bunch of guys who want to compete and be on this team and want big roles,” manager Mike Shildt said. “I love that. We talked to some of the young guys about wanting more. It’s healthy to want more. I love the mentality, and I do think that Ponce and Austin, like a lot of players, they do want more.”

Gomber appeared poised for more as the Cardinals left the 2018 season. He was the lefthanded complement to Flaherty’s breakout August as the Cardinals, under Shildt, made a late, strong push for a playoff berth. Combined, Flaherty and Gomber, two starters beckoned as reinforcements from Memphis, went 9-0 with a 1.77 ERA. The Cardinals won all 12 of the games they appeared in during August 2018, and that included seven by Gomber. He was 5-0 with a 2.38 ERA.