Walker hoping break from spring games will help sync up his swing

JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker hasn’t been in the lineup the past three games because he has been working in the team’s hitting lab, which is located in the back fields at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Walker is currently going through swing changes in order to see the ball better out of the pitcher’s hand.

Walker is expected to provide some thump in St. Louis’ lineup this season. But entering Sunday afternoon’s action, Walker was 6-for-30 (.200) with two RBIs and 11 strikeouts this spring. The team hopes he can be back in the lineup by Tuesday against the Nationals. It was Walker’s idea to take a break from game action in order to work in the lab, and the Cardinals accommodated him.

“[He is taking] the three days of not trying to practice something and put it in the game immediately,” manager Oliver Marmol explained. “[Being in the lab] allows him time to really dive deep into where we are at and what truly needs to happen. I want to give him a little bit of a break to be able to just focus [on his swing] and not carry it into the game. We hope the attention is there and then give him a date on when he is back in the lineup and implement it.”

Walker is trying to put last year behind him, a season in which he had a slash line of .215/.278/.306. He also struggled defensively, recording -4 outs above average.

When it comes to success on the field, confidence plays a role in how well Walker does. As recently as March 8, Walker said that his confidence was high, thanks to the coaching staff and his teammates.

“Part of baseball that I really love is coming to the ballpark and seeing those guys,” Walker said at the time. “There are a lot of good talks and we are all in the same position on the field when it comes to the fly balls or ground balls. Getting their perspective really helps.”

Dobbins headed to IL

Cardinals right-hander Hunter Dobbins will start the season on the 15-day injured list, according to Marmol. Dobbins was able to pitch five innings on the back fields as recently as Saturday, but he still needs to field his position off the mound.

Dobbins was acquired by the Cardinals in a four-player trade in December that sent first baseman Willson Contreras to the Red Sox. St. Louis traded for Dobbins even though he tore his right ACL against the Rays on July 11.

Dobbins made his Major League debut against the Cardinals last April and went on to win four games with a 4.13 ERA before the knee injury ended his season.