Joe Strauss wrote:La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan have set their starting rotation, the one Duncan predicted when he walked into camp.
Chris Carpenter, Kip Wells, Anthony Reyes and converted relievers Adam Wainwright and Braden Looper worked a string of 24 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.
"I didn't know what to expect coming in here," Carpenter said following Wells' fourth start Sunday. "But all of them have showed they have the ability to do it. All of them have the stuff. All of them have the mind. They've shown it."
La Russa said last week Encarnacion is almost certain to start the season on the disabled list.
Encarnacion required surgery in December to repair a split tendon near his left wrist after rehab failed to end symptoms that dogged him for much of the postseason.
Team medical supervisor Dr. George Paletta said Sunday that Encarnacion is expected to return no sooner than during the team's second home stand. However, that projection could change if a another examination today shows no improvement.
Edmonds has resumed running and has left open the possibility of playing opening day. In the past, he had a productive April with as few as eight Grapefruit League at-bats. But Edmonds said this recovery has been made more difficult by an absence of offseason conditioning.
While the second toe on Edmonds' left foot is more comfortable than when he reported to camp, he said "baseball stuff" may be harder to master because of the compressed timetable.
La Russa remains hopeful.
"He may hit for an hour off the machine eight days in a row," the manager said Sunday. "You've got to take his inactivity with a grain of salt."
With Encarnacion and Edmonds out, opportunities arise for John Rodriguez and Skip Schumaker. Veterans So Taguchi and Preston Wilson appear set, though neither has enjoyed a particularly productive camp.
Rodriguez entered camp as one of eight veteran outfielders on the major league roster. Now noticeably lighter, Rodriguez has helped himself with a quicker bat and more diligent approach.
La Russa plays down the organization's need for outfield help.
"I'm not expecting anything to pop," La Russa said Sunday, regarding a possible trade. "Probably if there was an equal tie and we could get only one guy, it would be a pitcher."
With Josh Kinney gone for the season following surgery on March 13, Brad Thompson appears the likely choice to work the eighth inning.
Several organization members remain interested in Arizona Diamondbacks righthanded reliever Jorge Julio, formerly a closer with the Baltimore Orioles. The Diamondbacks have a need for another lefthander in the bullpen, something the Cardinals can give them.
Another Cardinals lefthander, Chris Narveson, has worked only 4 2/3 innings in Grapefruit League games this spring. Out of options and unlikely to stick, Narveson must clear waivers before being outrighted. The Cardinals may seek a deal rather than risk losing him to a waiver claim.
Julio, 28, divided an uneven 2006 season between the New York Mets and Arizona. Julio converted 15 of 19 save chances and allowed opponents a .190 average for the Diamondbacks after the Mets dealt him for Orlando Hernandez last May 24. Julio struck out 88 in 66 innings last season.
Barring injury, the Cardinals are almost certain to carry righthanders Thompson, Russ Springer and Ryan Franklin north. Interest in hard-throwing prospect Dennis Dove, 25, persists, but the Cardinals may prefer he begin the season at Class AAA Memphis before committing a spot to him.
Described as part of the competition for the remade rotation, Thompson and Franklin will begin focusing on the number of appearances more than number of innings beginning today. Franklin has worked four games, Thompson only three.
"All the guys who came in to get stretched out have been impressive," La Russa said.
If I had to choose, I would much rather have a settled rotation than a settled outfield. Give me pitching any day. I can wait a few weeks for Edmonds to come back. And, a combination of J-Rod/Wilson/et al isn't really a performance drop off from Encarnacion. So, hooray for pitching. A big whoopdeedoo for an unsettled outfield.
myersli wrote:If I had to choose, I would much rather have a settled rotation than a settled outfield. Give me pitching any day. I can wait a few weeks for Edmonds to come back. And, a combination of J-Rod/Wilson/et al isn't really a performance drop off from Encarnacion. So, hooray for pitching. A big whoopdeedoo for an unsettled outfield.
I agree, but I'm still not yet sold on Looper in the rotoation. At least until he gets a few starts under his belt during the season.
heyzeus wrote:Confession. I'm totally rooting for Encarnacion to go on the DL to give John Rodriguez a shot. I like him, and it may be irrational but so it goes.
Ditto, but I'd be happy with Schumaker out there instead of JRod as well. Just not JuanEn.
valley_card22 wrote:So the way this reads, Hancock is the odd man out?
Strauss named 9 guys the team is definitely taking north out of 12. That's the rotation, plus Izzy, Springer, Thompson, and Franklin. I'd guess the other three are either the three lefties, or Hancock and two of the lefties. They have committed to a 12 man staff, but it's hard telling the last three right now.
I'm starting to get really excited about Wells, and the rotation in general. I don't even care how Looper does.
I'm thinking worst case, Wells gives them a 4.50/league average ERA. But I'm also thinking he'll do better than that. He's got a pretty lively arm with just enough velocity to impose his will on hitters when he's on. Of course, all that's predicated on health which is far from a given.
I find it very un-TLR like for Hancock to be the odd man out. Franklin hasn't distinguished himself above and beyond him in the least, unless the only catch is that they think Franklin could still be an emergency starter and Hancock simply could not. If that's really the only thing forcing their hand, that's kind of annoying considering that they've got younger guys who could do just as well only a call-up away.
I'm not a fan of what I've seen from Franklin this Spring at all, though I suppose Hancock isn't worlds better either.
And I'm with you on this one, RC21. The only concern left with me on this rotation is whether or not the health will hold up. I know Spring Training isn't meaningful at all except for building/destroying confidence in the players, manager, and fanbase, but early returns are pretty good. And as you and everyone else have said or hinted at, If Loopy-Loop is anything better than Marquis was last year he'll be fine for 100 innings or whatever we'll need of him.
if all things are equal with Hancock and Franklin, why doesnt Hancock get the nod? Hes a guy who went through the wars with you last year. I hope Franklin gets moved for a small time minor leaguer or part of a package with one of the LHP (Flores?) to ARZ for Juilo.
