DENVER — The Cardinals had posted their lineup for today’s Memorial Day afternoon game at Coors Field, and stalwarts Scott Rolen (mild concussion) and David Eckstein (back) are not in a lineup that is loaded with righthanded hitters. Though both Cardinals participated in a majority of the pre-game workouts, including taking infield, manager Tony La Russa said the hope is to go a day without needing them so they can get another day of rest for their ailments.

Even if that takes some — ahem — creative managing.

“Best case would be to play this game without either one of these guys,” La Russa said. “And I’m ready to do that. I have no problem bringing (So Taguchi)  into the infield or putting one of our pitchers in the outfield. It would be fun to do.”

Posted the lineup and some additional news here earlier this morning on the blog. Promised to return and flesh out the story with comments and quotes — context, is what the headline said.

After La Russa showed initial concern about Rolen’s ability to fly after his collision with Washington’s Dmitri Young on Sunday, the third baseman  did make the trip to Colorado with the team. He stressed that he felt fine Monday morning, but understood not only the nature of his injury but the climate of a clubhouse that dealt with two serious concussions (Eckstein, Jim Edmonds) last season.

“Better safe than sorry,” Rolen said.

Same could be said about Eckstein.

The shortstop first felt tightness in his lower back Saturday and was a last-minute scratch Sunday when a first round of treatment did not alleviate the soreness. Eckstein did not take batting practice but did swing a bat Sunday and took time in the cage on Monday. He expects to return to the lineup Tuesday, getting two days off just to assure back trouble does not bleed into other trouble, like the dreaded oblique trouble that cost him part of spring training and a chunk of last season.

“This is one of those things that you what to be very careful with, I think,” he said. “I’ve got some stiffness in the back and when it that happens you know it’s best to take care of before it becomes something worse.”

Eckstein said he was able to stretch out on the plane and keep the back from seizing up like so many business travels. Rolen said the only symptom he felt lingering Monday afternoon was a sore jaw from the whiplash-like movement running into Young on Sunday caused on his head.

Both came through the pre-game workouts without additional concerns.

Both remain under watch, however.

“In both cases,” La Russa said, “we’re just trying to be careful.”

The lineup as posted earlier  here on the blog:  

THE CARDINALS

1. Aaron Miles, SS
2. So Taguchi, CF
3. Albert Pujols, 1B*
4. Scott Spiezio, 3B
5. Juan Encarnacion, RF
6. Ryan Ludwick, LF
7. Gary Bennett, C
8. Adam Kennedy, 2B
9. Kip Wells, RHP

* Trivia tidbit: It was six years ago at this ballpark that Pujols made his major league debut. At the time, for those of us in attendance that game was more memorable for the brilliant performance of Rockies high-dollar, free-agent acquisition Mike Hampton. Time has shown something more remarkable was starting that opening day.  

** And a thing to watch: The Coors Field infield used to be famous for fast play. The ball would scoot through the infield and into the spacious territory known as the outfield. That had some batters thinking extra bases even on seeing-eye singles because of how far back the outfielders play here. Well, as one infielder said today: “They’ve gone Wrigley on it this year.” The grass appears longer and during batting practice there were some balls that barely got to the infielders. A good example: Take the play that just happened … a chopping grounder by Willy Taveras to Aaron Miles for the 6-3.  That ball used to sizzle to shortstop.

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