ST. LOUIS -- Facing D-backs lefty Eduardo Rodriguez on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals had plotted out a unique lineup with the intent of attacking the matchup.
Lefty bats Alec Burleson and Nathan Church were due to catch a breather from the starting nine, creating the potential for intriguing late-game machinations with how manager Oliver Marmol would have looked to use the bench.
But those best-laid plans had to be scrapped and altered due to a late scratch of shortstop Masyn Winn from the starting lineup.
“If that wasn’t the case, today would have been really interesting with how we did it,” Marmol said.
Per the Cards’ manager, Winn is dealing with left thumb irritation. As of Tuesday’s pregame, Marmol didn’t have specifics on what caused that irritation for the Gold Glove shortstop, but his absence created a chain reaction, altering several aspects of the lineup.
In the updated lineup, rookie JJ Wetherholt slid from his customary station at second over to Winn’s vacated spot at shortstop. Tuesday marks Wetherholt’s second start of the year at the position that he played extensively throughout his time in the Minor Leagues.
José Fermín, who was originally scheduled as the third baseman, shifted to second base duties to backfill for Wetherholt. Blaze Jordan was due to start at first base in lieu of Burleson, but moved to third base, where he’s seen the bulk of his time with the Cardinals to this point.
As he signed autographs for young fans on the field during batting practice Tuesday afternoon, Burleson hadn’t yet changed into his cleats.
He shared with the assembled fans that he had just learned he would be in the lineup Tuesday night, after all -- and after finishing up with photos, headed off to change those shoes.