Jarret Hoffpauir will be arriving late to his first big-league game.

With the news about DeRosa not coming in to the team until about 10:00 this morning, the 26-year-old is expected to be a mid-game arrival from Albequerque, where he’ll be the newest piece to the growing puzzle that is the Cardinals infield.

The most intriguing piece to that puzzle has been third base, where Hoffpauir has started six games in his minor league career. Six different Cardinals — Brian Barden, Joe Thurston, David Freese, Tyler Greene, Khalil Greene and Mark DeRosa — have started there this season, and none has proved a suitable replacement for the injured Troy Glaus.

Since Derosa arrived, St. Louis third baseman are 0-for-10 following Joe Thurston’s second inning strikeout, with the former Indian accounting for six of those at-bats.

Before today’s game, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak shared some news regarding potential answers at the hot corner.

Troy Glaus is hoping to start rehab soon at Class A Palm Beach. He’s hitting pain-free, but is unable stretch himself out when throwing the ball.

“Right now, where he’s at, he’s probably like that first week of February as a hitter,” Mozeliak said. “To get it ready for major league calibration he’s going to need some time.”

Meanwhile, David Freese is recovering from ankle surgery and two weeks away from starting to play again in Florida. Mozeliak is optimistic about his chances of playing in St. Louis again this season.

Last year’s Cards Minor League Player of the Year had a dismal start to his rookie season, getting just three hits in 19 at-bats in the majors. Things only got slightly better at AAA Memphis, where he hit .253 with two home runs in 21 games before heading to the disabled list.