Days after Juan Encarnacion acknowledged that he won't rush anything in order to be ready for Opening Day, his manager put it more forcefully. Encarnacion is likely to be on the disabled list when St. Louis starts the season on April 1.
"I don't expect him to be there Opening Day," skipper Tony La Russa said on Wednesday. "I'm not going to push him. He doesn't want to be pushed. I don't want to push him. So one and one definitely equals no push."
Encarnacion is making slow progress in his rehabilitation from offseason surgery on his left wrist. He's taking batting practice but still feels weakness and occasional pain in the wrist.
"It's like I've said," Encarnacion said Wednesday. "It's day by day. I cannot read the future. It's not in my hands. It's something that I've got to wait for the right time. I cannot tell you when, but I'm feeling pretty good."
With Jim Edmonds already looking like a long shot to make the Opening Day roster, the Cards will likely begin the year with two flycatchers on the DL. That would open up two roster spots, with Skip Schumaker and John Rodriguez the favorites to take advantage.
Schumaker is currently sidelined with a sprained ankle, but he's impressed La Russa and the staff with quality play in all facets of the game. Rodriguez is also having an excellent spring thus far, while So Taguchi and Preston Wilson have struggled.
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Notes: Encarnacion headed for DL
Notes: Encarnacion headed for DL
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