With Shelby Miller making his spring training debut for the St. Louis Cardinals yesterday against the Washington Nationals, the three candidates for taking the final spot in the rotation have all gotten game action.

Miller had a good day, as Jenifer Langosch succinctly described in two sentences:

Miller entered in the fourth inning, threw 12 pitches and made the Nationals’ hitters look uncomfortable en route to striking out the side. He allowed Ian Desmond’s solo homer in the fifth, though he avoided any other trouble on a day when the wind was blowing out of Roger Dean Stadium.

Joe Kelly also has made one appearance, throwing two scoreless and hitless innings while walking two on Friday.

Trevor Rosenthal has pitched twice, throwing five innings total, and allowed five earned runs on seven hits with three walks — although four of those runs came in his first appearance and he was perfect in two of the three innings he threw on Thursday.

We all know the history of the three — no need to get into it here — and we all saw them pitch in the majors last season.

Does the fact Kelly pitched more in the big leagues in 2012 give him an edge? Does Miller have a better opportunity because of his minor league success? Is Rosenthal’s 100 mph fastball better suited for the bullpen instead of the rotation? Do none of these matter because of Michael Wacha?

Who’s your choice of the three for the starting rotation? Vote now.

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