Mather is the winner of the Blowing a Golden Opportunity Award.
With Troy Glaus recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, the Cardinals need a third baseman. Mather moved from the outfield and seemed the leading candidate to man the hot corner, until games began.
Mather hit only .193 with a .557 OPS in his first 57 at-bats. Add that to Mather's .241 average (with eight homers) in 133 at-bats as a rookie last season, and the performance was enough to frighten the Cardinals.
Third base remains an open competition.
So does the toughest spot in St. Louis' batting order: cleanup, behind reigning N.L. MVP Albert Pujols. Manager Tony La Russa wanted the club to add a veteran such as outfielder Matt Holliday to hit behind Pujols, but the organization thought outfielder Ryan Ludwick could handle the job.
Ludwick had 37 homers and 113 RBIs last season, his first full year in the majors at age 30. Ludwick's slow start this spring (.208 average, .691 OPS) has forced the Cardinals to consider other cleanup options, including outfielder Rick Ankiel.
Sporting News
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