Good morning...

The Cardinals are facing some difficult roster and playing-time decisions. Let's pull out the cliche book and say that it's a good problem to have. But when RF Ryan Ludwick returns from a calf injury, the Cardinals will have a lot of outfielders to choose from.

In Ludwick's absence since June 26, the starts in right field have been distributed accordingly: Nick Stavinoha (9), Jon Jay (6), Randy Winn (3), Allen Craig (1) and Skip Schumaker (1). Stavinoha is on the DL so he's not a factor right now. And Schumaker is a 2B; his start in RF in Kansas City late last month was more of a spot-duty thing. Though Schu, obviously, can play RF if the team needs to put him there. But that shouldn't be an issue, because all of a sudden there are a lot of worthy candidates to post in RF.

Let's take a look:

-- Since the start of the 2008 season Ludwick has 70 homers, 252 RBIs, and a batting line of .281 / .350 / .515. He was a Silver Slugger and NL All-Star in 2008. This season he has 11 homers,  42 RBIs and is batting an astounding .446 (25 for 46) with runners in scoring position.

-- While Ludwick has been down, Jay has gone 16 for 35 (.457) with 6 walks, a .537 onbase percentage, 2 homers, 7 RBIs. Those numbers include three starts in CF and some pinch-hit shots.  The more he plays, the better he looks. There are many appealing elements to Jay's game, including speed. Which the Cardinals need. Jay has gone from first to third on a single on 3 of 6 opportunities; he has scored from 2B on a single on 5 of 6 chances; he is 1 for 1 in scoring from first on a double.

-- Say hello to Craig, who had a great game Sunday to help the Cardinals come back from four runs down to beat the Dodgers 5-4. His two hits and three RBIs included the ninth-inning, two-out single that tied the game 4-4. And Craig hit his first MLB homer on Monday night against Philadelphia. Craig played 1B on Sunday, and LF on Monday. He's been fine when used in RF. Most of all, the dude is a hitter. He had 65 RBIs in 67 games after rejoining Class AAA Memphis earlier in the season. Now that Craig is getting some results and confidence at the big-league level, he'll be an intriguing weapon.

-- Just when we thought it was looking bleak for Winn, he's spraying hits all over the place in this post All-Star break homestand, going 6 for 12, with a walk, double, triple, homer and 4 RBIs. Can play all three OF positions and is a switch-hitter, which appeals to manager Tony La Russa.

So when Ludwick returns soon, who gets squeezed out? Tough call. With 3B David Freese going to be sidelined a while longer with a sprained ankle and broken toe, the Cardinals can't play short on the infield, so Tyler Greene is safe. They could carry an extra outfielder and one fewer pitcher, but that's highly unlikely. Pitching coach Dave Duncan prefers to have 12 pitchers. And the Cardinals aren't getting a ton of innings from starters Jaime Garcia, Jeff Suppan or Blake Hawksworth, and that requires extra work from the bullpen. And more stress.

Someone will have to go in the outfield. Craig or Jay could be sent down to Memphis so that would be the easiest way out -- simply due to the fact that the team would not have to release a player to make roster space. But what else is there to accomplish in Memphis for Jay or Craig? Jay seemingly would be safe, because of his speed game and ability to play CF, which is important in that Colby Rasmus is slumping again and scuffling with some minor injuries. Craig is more limited than Jay athletically. But he gives the Cardinals a potential power bat to bring off the bench in the late innings.

And then there is Winn; TLR likes him. Over the last two-plus seasons Winn has not hit much from thr right side and is 4 for 21 as a RH batter since joining the Cardinals. But he's done a really nice job as a LH batter for the Cardinals: 15 for 47, .319. And with a .377 OBP and .532 SLG.

Of course, there is another way out: trade one of these guys. There wouldn't be a market for Winn. The number of teams willing to add Ludwick's salary are limited; non-contenders are seeking prospects in return. Have Jay and Craig enhanced their trade allure? Would the Cardinals be willing to part with Jay or Craig? Depending on what happens with Ludwick after the 2010 season -- he'll be eligible for arbitration again, and his salary will jump higher -- the Cardinals may need to go with a Jay/Craig platoon in RF.

I'm getting way ahead of things here ... it seems that the reduction will come down to this: release the older player (Winn) or send one of the rookies (Jay, Craig) back down to Memphis for a little while and stall for time -- just to see what if anything will develop on the trade front. Of course, an additional and unexpected injury could alter the planning.

I don't see how Jay would be the odd man out.

Which means we're looking at a Craig / Winn decision.

And in that scenario, I'd expect TLR to go with the switch-hitting veteran.

Reading Time 3 Minutes:

* Kudos to the Cardinals' bullpen. After suffering that two-night nuking at Coors Field, the relievers have bounced back in magnificent fashion. Since July 8 (nine games) the Cardinals' bullpen has pitched 25.2 innings and posted a 1.05 ERA. The relievers have two victories, are 2  for 2 in saves, and have not allowed any of the 13 inherited runners to score.

* A follow-up to TLR's correct decision to give Albert Pujols a day off on Sunday (except for the pinch-hitting appearance): since Pujols entered the big leagues in 2001, the Cardinals have managed to hold their own when he doesn't play, or when he has just one at-bat during a game. When Pujols doesn't play at all, the team is 32-26. When he has one at-bat in a game, they are 24-20. Pujols certainly seemed fresh on Monday night against Philly. The breather did him some good.

* The Cinncinati Reds have had good fortune in one respect this season: they have largely avoided injuries to their key position players. But All-Star 3B Scott Rolen is bothered by a sore hamstring. He hasn't played since Friday and the Reds hope to be able to avoid placing him on the disabled list. Before the All-Star break, Rolen, 35, missed a little time with a creaky back. He's also been dealing with a stomach ailment. Since June 26 Rolen is 8 for 42 (.190) with a homer and eight RBIs. When Rolen hasn't played, the Reds have received a susprisingly good performance from journeyman Miguel Cairo, who is 16 for 53 (.302) when playing 3B for Cincinnati this season.

* Here's more on Reds GM Walt Jocketty's decision to sign former Cardinals reliever Russ Springer and his reasons for taking a look at former Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen, who will throw for Cincinnati in an audition this week. "If he's healthy and can pitch close to the way he did, he can certainly help us," Jocketty said of Izzy. Isringhausen pitched only eight innings for Tampa Bay last season before tearing ligaments in his right elbow. He's been working hard to rehab the injury. Isringhausen, 38, has 293 MLB saves including 217 for the Cardinals from 2002-2008.

As always thanks for reading ...

-Bernie