JUPITER, Fla. — Brendan Ryan hopes to return the field sometime next week, but that doesn’t leave much time for the Cardinals to plan for his absence just in case a ribcage injury prohibits him from being available opening day.
That is why Aaron Miles starts at third base today.
The Cardinals take their next-to-last road trip this Easter to Port St. Lucie, where they will face the New York Mets. Orlando Hernandez will be making his spring debut for the Mets; the Cardinals will answer with Todd Wellemeyer, who has two starts remaining before starting Game 2 of the regular season.
Ryan’s injury leaves the Cardinals with the possibility they will need a backup third baseman and a backup shortstop for the first week of the season. D’Angelo Jimenez figures to benefit with a roster spot, but he’s not the lock to backup either position. Miles has played shortstop in the past — in place of an injured David Eckstein – and he’ll get a turn at third today.
The better situation for the Cardinals is to have Ryan’s rib muscle calm with the cortisone shot.
THE CARDINALS
- Skip Schumaker, RF
- Aaron Miles, 3B
- Albert Pujols, 1B
- Rick Ankiel, CF
- Chris Duncan, LF
- Yadier Molina, C
- Adam Kennedy, 2B
- Todd Wellemeyer, RHP
- Cesar Izturis, SS
The bench features most of the major-league players with Troy Glaus, Adam Kennedy and Juan Gonzalez back here in Jupiter. Most of the bullpen went up to Lucie, including Ryan Franklin. The minor-leaguers going up for depth are RHP Luke Gregerson and RHP Matthew Scherer.
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