Cardinals roster cuts include Brian Barton

LAKELAND, Fla. — About to feel the pinch from lack of playing time, outfielder Brian Barton, a major-leaguer all of last season, was one of eight cuts the Cardinals made to their spring training roster Monday.

Barton and pitchers Mitchell Boggs, Matt Scherer and Charlie Manning were optioned to the minor-league camp. Pitchers Clayton Mortensen, Jess Todd and Adam Ottavino and first baseman Allen Craig, who is hitting .455 this spring, were re-assigned to the minors.

Manager Tony La Russa cautioned about reading too much into the moves, but Barton's demotion speaks to the possible makeup of the Cardinals' outfield.

Ryan Ludwick is a lock, so with Joe Mather currently manning third base, Barton was the only other righthanded-hitting outfielder still on the roster.

(stltoday.com)