Jon Jay gets a run in right field, batting second

Most of the time manager Mike Matheny intends to keep his corner outfielders in place in the lineup -- and thus, in place in the field -- but there will be times when center fielders Peter Bourjos and Jon Jay are both roaming the field at the same time.

Matheny said at those times "there's not reason" Bourjos won't be in center.

Jay gets to go retro, back to his days as the moveable outfielder.

This afternoon, the Cardinals "visit" the Miami Marlins for an exhibition game at Roger Dean Stadium and both Bourjos and Jay are in the starting lineup. Jay is in right. Lance Lynn makes his penultimate start of spring training and will be shooting for that 80-pitch mark reached yesterday by Carlos Martinez.

Bourjos is considered one of the superior defensive players in the game, able to expand his range in center because of his speed. Jay has cracked the Cardinals' lineup several times before as a fourth outfielder-type, first edging Ryan Ludwick for playing time in right field and then replacing Colby Rasmus as the full-time center fielder after playing well enough to allow that trade in 2011. Matheny has talked about how all three of his center fielders -- Bourjos, Jay, and Shane Robinson -- could play all three spots in the field, of course, but if any combination of the three is going to be in the field at the same time, it will be Bourjos in center.

"This guy is here as a plus plus defender when he comes into the game there is little reason not to put him in center field," Matheny said several days ago. "Even if he comes into a game where Jon is in center and maybe we do some defensive replacements, it makes a whole lot more sense to move Jon around and keep Peter in center."

Those situations would include when Allen Craig shifts to first base out of right field and replaces Matt Adams. That could be in a game against a lefty or late in a game for defensive purposes.


(stltoday.com)