CLEVELAND (AP) – Bruised elbow or not, St. Louis outfielder Matt Holliday strong armed his way into the starting lineup on Thursday.
Holliday convinced Cardinals manager Mike Matheny to play him at designated hitter for the series finale against Cleveland, a day after he left the game after being struck on the left elbow by a pitch from Indians starter Corey Kluber. X-rays on Holliday’s elbow were negative and the club believed he would be day-to-day.
However, Holliday had other plans. He arrived at Progressive Field and after getting treatment, grabbed a bat and headed toward the indoor cages. He then approached Matheny, who agreed to make a late change to his lineup.
“He took some swings in the cage,” Matheny said. “He pulled me aside and lobbied hard to be in the lineup.”
The Cardinals also placed outfielder Jon Jay on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his left wrist. Jay had arthroscopic surgery on the wrist in October.