Strauss: Rotation appears set, but not the outfield
Posted: March 20 07, 5:24 am
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.