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Cardinals newcomer Oh impresses in first appearance

March 2, 2016
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Oh Seung-hwan, of South Korea, throws a bullpen session during spring training baseball practice Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Oh Seung-hwan, of South Korea, was impressive in his Cardinals debut appearance on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals wanted to get a quick look at the newest addition to their bullpen, Seung-Hwan Oh.

That’s exactly what they got.

The 33-year-old Korean-born reliever needed only 12 pitches to retire Florida Atlantic University in order in the third inning of Wednesday’s 13-6 exhibition victory.

“Kind of what we thought we would see,” St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. “He took a little off, put a little on, and it’s hard to tell from the side because he adds and subtracts movement. He’s just got a real good idea how to use his stuff.”

St. Louis signed the South Korean-born righty from the Japanese professional ranks during the offseason.

Oh induced a groundout and flyout before striking out Austin Langham to end the frame.

“I fouled off a splitter — I’m pretty sure it was a splitter — and then I just swung through a fastball and missed it,” Langham said.

Oh was the lone pitcher expected to make the Cardinals’ opening day roster who saw action against FAU. St. Louis trailed much of the way before rallying for 12 runs in an eighth inning highlighted by Jacob Wilson’s grand slam.

Cardinals prospect Austin Gomber, pitching against his former school, started the game and tossed two perfect innings, striking out three.

“He was terrific,” Matheny said. “The hook was sharp. He even threw some good changeups. Locating his fastball. He was a definite bright spot today.”