Stanton to bat third on Saturday

JUPITER, Fla. -- Two days after being plunked on the back of the head by a Jose Fernandez fastball, Giancarlo Stanton returned to workouts with the Marlins.

Stanton took park in Friday's drills, and the All-Star right fielder is scheduled to start and bat third on Saturday against the Cardinals in the Grapefruit League opener at Roger Dean Stadium.

Manager Mike Redmond is looking to get Stanton plenty of at-bats before the slugger leaves on March 3 to join Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. He has weighed whether to bat Stanton third or fourth. By hitting third, he is guaranteed to bat in the first inning.

"I want to get him as many at-bats as we can," Redmond said. "We've got to get him ready for the Classic. He needs to get in there, and get as many at-bats as he can, so that he feels comfortable that when he leaves here, he's ready to go there. In that Classic, they're going to play multiple games. He needs to feel like he's ready to play, and play a full game, by the time he leaves."