ST. LOUIS (AP) – Jon Jay was the St. Louis Cardinals’ center fielder and primary leadoff man when he went on the 15-day disabled list with a wrist injury.
When he returns, likely Friday, it might be more of a job share due to the emergence of Randal Grichuk.
The 23-year-old Grichuk, acquired from the Los Angeles Angels after the 2013 season, is batting .308 in limited duty and been a defender able to play all three spots. He has displayed plenty of pop, too, with 10 of his 16 hits going for extra bases.
Last fall, Grichuk homered off Clayton Kershaw in his first career postseason at-bat.
“I think you’re seeing him evolve into the type of player we thought we were acquiring,” general manager John Mozeliak said. “He can play all three outfield spots and from an offensive standpoint he’s in rarified air in terms of how hard he hits the ball.”