Derrick Goold wrote:JUPITER, Fla. — When manager Tony La Russa found Eli Marrero for a chat the other day — as discussed in the article in today’s paper – he promised to find him more at-bats in the final two weeks of spring training. Marrero was under the impression that meant catching and La Russa, when asked if the outfield offered that opportunity, shook his head.
Catching or perhaps first base was going to be Marrero’s best bet.
Tonight, against the Dodgers, Marrero gets his start.
It will be in the outfield.
The lineup was posted in the clubhouse before the Cardinals boarded the bus to head north for Vero Beach and Dodgertown. (The bus is idling outside the door as I race to write this.) It has So Taguchi in center and Preston Wilson and Marrero flanking him. Their exact positions are to be determine. La Russa said the wind, which can be tricky at Holman Field, will make the call if who of the two players handles left and who heads out to right field.
That isn’t the only intrigue in today’s game. With Anthony Reyes starting and Brad Thompson coming in relief, today sets up to be the evening that confirms the Cardinals’ starting rotation for the next few weeks. The Cardinals have said they wanted to get this point with a good idea who the five pitchers are for the big-league rotation. At most, they wanted to keep six pitchers stretched out. Developing an understudy in case of injury, so to speak.
Innings are now officially scarce for the starting competition.
THE CARDINALS (10-6-3)
1. David Eckstein, SS
2. So Taguchi, CF
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Scott Rolen, 3B
5. Preston Wilson, TBD
6. Eli Marrero, TBD
7. Yadier Molina, C
8. Adam Kennedy, 2B
9. Anthony Reyes, RHP
Available in the pen: RHP Brad Thompson, LHP Tyler Johnson, LHP Ricardo Rincon, RHP Josh Hancock, RHP Brian Falkenborg, RHP Kelvin Jimenez.
Miguel Negron won the Cardinals “Ironman Survivor” having played in each of the team’s 19 Grapefruit League games to date...Negron’s streak should come to an end with tonight’s contest after his reassignment to minor league camp yesterday and he is not on the travel roster to Vero.
St. Louis pitchers rank No. 1 and 2 in ERA as Kip Wells leads the N.L. having not allowed an earned run this spring...Adam Wainwright is second with his 1.08 ERA...Adam also ranks second in the N.L. with 16.2 IP.
Also, the daily batting logs indicate that Preston Wilson has struck out in only 2 of his last 15 plate appearances. During that stretch he's 5 for 13 with 2 walks.
