Saturday, March 18, 2006
Saturday’s Birdfeed: 03.18.2006
Chris Carpenter has been abut near perfect as you could possibly imagine this spring. Yes his record is 2-0 in Grapefruit League play, but that doesn’t compare to the fact that he has yet to surrender a single run (earned or unearned) in 16 innings of work thus far. That streak has now spanned four starts and counting.
Brian Falkenborg, a non-roster invitee fighting to make the ballclub, also has yet to be charged with a run this spring.
LOOGY Ricardo Rincon has joined the team since Mexico was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic. He helped the Mexicans eliminate the favored U.S. squad from the WBC. Rincon was happy to get the opportunity to represent his country but is now focused on gearing up for the regular season and helping the Cardinals return to the World Series after a one-year hiatus.
Adam Wainwright was impressive Friday versus the Yankees but still figures to open the year with triple-A Memphis. Though he could be the first pitcher recalled to St. Louis if there is an injury to the rotation or Sidney Ponson and/or Anthony Reyes fail to perform to expectations. Wainy has worked himself out of jams this spring and has shown supreme confidence on the mound, something he lacked when he first came over in the J.D. Drew deal with Atlanta.
David Eckstein returned to the lineup Saturday versus Baltimore. He had been out two days with the stomach flu. Eck collected a pair of hits and stole a base against the O’s.
Larry Bigbie’s sore left achilles’ tendon is progressing nicely. He was diagnosed with tendinitis and hopes to be back on the field this week. There is a chance he could play tomorrow versus the Braves.
Scott Rolen made consecutive starts for the first time this spring on Thursday and Friday. He has been superb both in the field and at the plate thus far. He seems fully recovered from a pair of surgeries in 2005 and should be ready to log his full load this season.
Non-roster invitee Brian Daubach continues to be impressive in his bid to make the team. He now has driven in nine runs in 24 at-bats. Dauber is definitely taking advantage of Albert Pujols’s absence as he plays in the WBC.
Tony LaRussa has once again stated that he is leaning toward carrying 12 pitchers on the Opening Day roster.
Brian Falkenborg, a non-roster invitee fighting to make the ballclub, also has yet to be charged with a run this spring.
LOOGY Ricardo Rincon has joined the team since Mexico was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic. He helped the Mexicans eliminate the favored U.S. squad from the WBC. Rincon was happy to get the opportunity to represent his country but is now focused on gearing up for the regular season and helping the Cardinals return to the World Series after a one-year hiatus.
Adam Wainwright was impressive Friday versus the Yankees but still figures to open the year with triple-A Memphis. Though he could be the first pitcher recalled to St. Louis if there is an injury to the rotation or Sidney Ponson and/or Anthony Reyes fail to perform to expectations. Wainy has worked himself out of jams this spring and has shown supreme confidence on the mound, something he lacked when he first came over in the J.D. Drew deal with Atlanta.
David Eckstein returned to the lineup Saturday versus Baltimore. He had been out two days with the stomach flu. Eck collected a pair of hits and stole a base against the O’s.
Larry Bigbie’s sore left achilles’ tendon is progressing nicely. He was diagnosed with tendinitis and hopes to be back on the field this week. There is a chance he could play tomorrow versus the Braves.
Scott Rolen made consecutive starts for the first time this spring on Thursday and Friday. He has been superb both in the field and at the plate thus far. He seems fully recovered from a pair of surgeries in 2005 and should be ready to log his full load this season.
Non-roster invitee Brian Daubach continues to be impressive in his bid to make the team. He now has driven in nine runs in 24 at-bats. Dauber is definitely taking advantage of Albert Pujols’s absence as he plays in the WBC.
Tony LaRussa has once again stated that he is leaning toward carrying 12 pitchers on the Opening Day roster.
