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“There’s nothing from a projection standpoint that show those should be successful lanes for him,� manager Oliver Marmol said of lining Svanson up to face former MVPs Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. “For him to be on the attack ...

“He threw a cutter at 95 mph, for goodness sake.�

The only time Ohtani, Betts and Freeman came to the plate and did not participate in a rally during Los Angeles’ 12-6 victory Tuesday night was during Svanson’s innings. He pitched two scoreless, and the manager continued Wednesday morning to rave about the right-hander’s bulldozer attitude as he struck out four and held the Cardinals at a three-run deficit.

It’s the kind of assignment Marmol hopes to find for several of the young relievers in the bullpen. With no designated closer and only one lefty, there could be some unusual looks. During individual meetings this past week, Marmol and his staff told the young relievers they’ll get late-inning opportunities and could emerge from the remaining 46 games as a candidate for closer or setup relief in 2026. The schedule will help, Marmol said.

Following visits into the contending crucibles of San Diego and Dodger Stadium this past week, the Cardinals host the archrival Cubs and New York Yankees on the next homestand.

“This is the way I would draw it up, if possible,� Marmol said. “To be able to play San Diego, come here (to LA) and play. The teams that we’re about to go up against (at home). That’s what you want to see them play against. And then you add the overall atmosphere and environment to it — it gives you a different layer to evaluate as well. That part I really enjoy.�

Within the series against the Dodgers, there were examples of these assignments.

The Cardinals intend to use right-hander Riley O’Brien and lefty JoJo Romero in most save situations. O’Brien got the eighth inning of a close game Monday. He allowed a run and got three ground outs and then earned the win when the Cardinals rallied in the ninth. Romero closed out the game for his second save of the road trip.

On Tuesday, Svanson entered in the fourth inning to give him a look against the superstars. That “goodness sake� cutter buzzed past Ohtani for a strikeout.

Right-hander Ryan Fernandez drew the assignment when the top of the Dodgers lineup came back around in the seventh. The inning sped up on Fernandez as he walked Ohtani and Betts before eventually allowing them to score. Having one lefty in the bullpen meant the Cardinals did not have a counter for Max Muncy in that inning — and Fernandez allowed an RBI single.

By trading closer Ryan Helsley and setup man Phil Maton a week ago, the Cardinals took an eraser to established roles in the bullpen. John King’s absence as he recovers from a torso injury leaves them with one lefty to add more complexity to bullpen use.

The preference remains to use Kyle Leahy for extended outings — like he did Wednesday afternoon — as he readies to come to spring training as a starter. The Cardinals are intrigued by O’Brien’s stuff and strikeout potential just as Svanson has impressed with his recent results and fastball. The Cardinals don’t have to wait until spring to start sorting through late-game options.

“You have a great opportunity for that,� Marmol said.

And the opponents to present a challenge.

“It’s just a teaching moment when you see someone glitch out because of the environment,� Marmol explained. “It’s a great opportunity to understand why and then see if you can get them on the other side of it by forcing them into that situation again, if possible. You’re looking for the opportunity to see Svanson step into it and not care and maybe somebody else take a step back and get sped up. You want to understand why and see if you can help with that.�

Arenado heads to Jupiter

Nolan Arenado will travel Friday to Jupiter, Florida, and relocate his recovery from a shoulder injury to the Cardinals’ player development and spring training complex.

Arenado went on the injured list at the start of the month after playing through July with a bruised finger on his throwing hand and soreness in his right shoulder and arm, perhaps caused by compensating for the pain in his finger. He saw his production at the plate dip to a .175 average and a .211 slugging percentage in July.

The Cardinals’ facility at Roger Dean Stadium is undergoing construction ahead of next spring training, but being there will give Arenado access to the performance department and games on the back fields, if he wants to accumulate at-bats in controlled settings.

Going to Jupiter also puts Arenado in Florida ahead of the Cardinals visiting Miami to face the Marlins. That is their next road series, starting on Aug. 18.

Drafted pitcher plans

Liam Doyle and Tanner Franklin, the two University of Tennessee pitchers the Cardinals drafted at No. 5 and No. 72, respectively, are among the group of newly signed picks in Jupiter. The two highly rated pitchers have yet to appear in games but are part of a throwing program that could eventually put them into competition with either of the two affiliates housed at the Roger Dean complex.

Each newly drafted pitcher has a schedule that’s based upon his spring workload at college or high school and how ready he was to resume pitching at the draft. Rob Cerfolio, the Cardinals’ assistant general manager in charge of player development and performance, described the plans as “conservative ramp-ups.�

Left-handed starter Doyle, the Cardinals’ first-round pick and highest pick since 1998, has been assigned to the Florida Complex League roster. So has Franklin, a reliever for the Vols who the Cardinals see as a potential starter during his first full professional season. They will spend the remainder of the minor league season in Jupiter, and whether they get into a game with an affiliate will be decided based on their mound work in the coming weeks.

Extra bases

Willson Contreras was not in the lineup for the finale of the road trip due to a stomach bug, Marmol said. The first baseman is expected back when the Cardinals open their homestand Friday against his former team, the Cubs.

• The Cardinals will use the off-day to give the entire rotation a break and remain on turn headed into the weekend against their rivals. The club’s current plan is to remain with a five-man rotation through the upcoming nine-game homestand.
• Lefty Mason Molina, one of the pitchers acquired from the Rangers at the trade deadline, made his Cardinals organization debut Tuesday night with four innings and five strikeouts for High-A Peoria. He allowed two runs on two hits and four walks.