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JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals' decision to open the regular season with a modified six-man rotation was only the beginning of the decisions finalized Sunday morning before the final exhibition game of spring training in Florida.

Victor Scott II, the speedster who had one of the most impressive camps, will begin the season as the Cardinals' opening day center fielder and get a long run at the position.

"He's earned it," said manager Oliver Marmol.

That choice had downstream impact that includes no established backup shortstop on the 26-player roster the Cardinals will take into opening day.

Matthew Liberatore won a spot in the rotation — not as a sixth starter, but as one of the priority starters. His placement as one of the top five shifted lefty Steven Matz into the bullpen to start the season. On April 16, when the Cardinals' schedule starts to hit stretches without off days, Matz will move into the rotation as part of a six-man model.

The goal is to keep Liberatore, Matz, and long reliever Kyle Leahy stretched out through the opening weeks of the regular season and offer protection as starters go fewer innings at the beginning of the schedule.

That establishes the rotation to the open year (order pending):

• Sonny Gray, opening day starter.

• Erick Fedde, Game 2 starter.

• Andre Pallante, Game 3 starter, Twins finale.

• Miles Mikolas, Game 4, opener vs. Angels.

• Matthew Liberatore, Game 5.

• Steven Matz, first start April 16th.

That puts Michael McGreevy as the No. 1 starter in Class AAA Memphis, where he'll begin the year and be the first starter called upon when needed.

Marmol announced the decisions Sunday morning before the Cardinals played against Washington at Roger Dean Stadium.

The Cardinals finalized their bench with Michael Siani as the good-hands squad outfielder for late-game replacements; Luken Baker as the right-handed bat off the bench; either Ivan Herrera or Pedro Pages as the backup catcher depending on who starts that day; and Nolan Gorman as the left-handed bat off the bench and often second baseman, third baseman, or DH.

That leaves the Cardinals without Jose Fermin or Jose Barrero on the bench to spell Masyn Winn at shortstop. Brendan Donovan will see some time at shortstop, but Marmol said the plan is to see Winn "playing quite a bit of baseball."

With Leahy in long relief, the bullpen also sets up in front of closer Ryan Helsley with Chris Roycroft, as previously reported, making the team and joining the incumbents (see below) and newcomer Phil Maton.

The Cardinals made their final cuts of camp before Sunday's game.

They optioned Fermin and McGreevy to Class AAA Memphis, and the Cardinals re-assigned Barrero the Triple-A Memphis roster. Fermin and Barrero will be the middle infield for the Redbirds with Barrero also playing center field in addition to shortstop. Fermin will get reps at second, third, shortstop, and left field. 

Zack Thompson (lat strain) wll be placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday.

The Cardinals leave Florida on Monday morning, play that night against their Class AAA affiliate in Memphis, and then leave immediately after the game for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. The regular season opens Thursday at Busch Stadium against the Minnesota Twins.

Here is the Cardinals' opening day roster, pending any injuries or illness:

PITCHERS (13)

Sonny Gray, RHP

Erick Fedde, RHP

Miles Mikolas, RHP

Steven Matz, LHP

Andre Pallante, RHP

Ryan Helsley, RHP

Ryan Fernandez, RHP

JoJo Romero, LHP

Matthew Liberatore, LHP

John King, LHP

Chris Roycroft, RHP

Kyle Leahy, RHP

Phil Maton, RHP

CATCHERS (2)

Ivan Herrera

Pedro Pages

INFIELDERS (6)

Willson Contreras, 1B

Nolan Gorman, 2B/3B

Nolan Arenado, 3B

Masyn Winn, SS

Brendan Donovan, 2B/UT

Alec Burleson, 1B/DH

OUTFIELDERS (4)

Lars Nootbaar, LF/OF

Jordan Walker, RF

Michael Siani, CF/OF

Victor Scott II, CF

DESIGNATED HITTER (1)

Luken Baker, PH/DH

INJURED LIST (1)

Zack Thompson, LHP (lat strain)