Holliday expects to return to lineup on Friday

CINCINNATI -- Though inactive due to a right quad strain that has kept him off the field since June 8, Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday participated in all that the All-Star experience had to offer over two days in Cincinnati.

He also had some work to get done while in town.

Before the National League All-Stars poured out onto the field for batting practice on Tuesday, Holliday headed out to the outfield grass at Great American Ball Park. There, Holliday went through a series of running exercises, with Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal nearby supervising for fun..

"It looked like he felt fine," Rosenthal reported afterward. "He was running at 80, 90 percent. Hopefully, he'll be back Friday."

Holliday's assessment was the same, as he asserted before Tuesday's All-Star Game, presented by T-Mobile, that he remains on track to be activated from the disabled list on Friday, when the Cardinals open the second half with a home series against the Mets. The Cardinals have gone 18-13 in Holliday's absence and lost four games in their NL Central lead over the Pirates during that span.

Holliday noted that the final test will be "doing some more baserunning," which he expects to accomplish over the next two days.

Holliday did take batting practice with the NL All-Stars on Tuesday, joining a group that featured Troy Tulowitzki, Nolan Arenado and Ryan Braun, who replaced Holliday on the active roster. Holliday's two oldest sons, Jackson and Ethan, joined him on the field to shag fly balls.

"I always enjoy a chance to talk baseball with other great players in the game who have a lot of knowledge," Holliday said. "Watching guys hit in the cage and talking shop are some things I enjoy most about this."