JUPITER, Fla. — Manager Tony La Russa aimed to give some his regulars a day off before playing them through the weekend and saving them from Monday’s road trip across Alligator Alley. That has led to some wrinkles in the lineup today and one tell-tale chance for a veteran almost out the door:
D’Angelo Jimenez is starting at shortstop.
A lingering injury for Brendan Ryan leaves the Cardinals in need, possibly, of a backup shortstop other than Aaron Miles, who has played the position in a pinch. The one available on the roster is Jimenez. He has not had a distinguished spring, but he’s still around, catching time at third base and short when available — and now offering insurance depending on the severity of Ryan’s ribcage injury.
Also, there’s a new No. 9 hitter and four outfielders squeezed into the lineup.
THE CARDINALS
- Skip Schumaker, LF
- Aaron Miles, 2B
- Chris Duncan, 1B
- Rick Ankiel, CF
- Troy Glaus, 3B
- Ryan Ludwick, RF
- D’Angelo Jimenez, SS
- Adam Wainwright, RHP
- Jason LaRue, C
Notable members of the bench: 1B Mark Hamilton, CF Colby Rasmus, 3B David Freese, INF Rico Washington, OF Amaury Marti.
Bullpen plan: Obviously with this being Wainwright’s penultimate start of spring the idea is for him to go deep into the game today and follow his innings with LHP Ron Villone, LHP Randy Flores, RHP Ryan Franklin and RHP Jason Isringhausen in regular-season style.
-30-