Spring Headlines: Cardinals add veteran shortstop Ruben Tejada
It didn’t take Ruben Tejada long to find work. Three days after being released by the New York Mets, the 26-year-old shortstop inked a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he’ll compete for the opening day job at shortstop.
The Cardinals have been looking for a starting option since losing Jhonny Peralta to a significant thumb injury earlier this month. The All-Star shortstop is expected to be out until at least midseason, meaning St. Louis will be forced to replace a strong run producer. Tejada won’t provide that, but he’ll at least provide a steady hand.
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In six MLB seasons, Tejada is a .255/.330/.323 hitter. Yes, his on-base percentage is actually higher than his slugging percentage, and the former isn’t great to begin with. He can field though, and the Cardinals should have a suitable offensive compliment in Jedd Gyorko.
Though the Mets no longer had room for him in their retooled infield, Tejada has looked healthy this spring, which was a big question mark for him. As you probably recall, Tejada had his leg broken on Chase Utley’s infamous NLDS take-out slide. He rehabbed the injury all offseason and returned early in camp, hopefully paving the way for a healthy 2016.
OTHER SPRING HEADLINES
No breaks: X-rays and CT scans on Jacoby Ellsbury’s wrist were negative after he was hit by a pitch on Saturday. [@BryanHoch]
Earn it: Red Sox manager John Farrell suggests Pablo Sandoval will have to earn his playing time this season. [@ScottLauber]
Dead arm: A’s ace Sonny Gray is dealing with a tired arm period, according to manager Bob Melvin. That’s not unusual in spring training, but is always worth watching. [@susanslusser]
Season preview: Can the Rangers repeats as AL West champions? [The Stew]
We’ll take him: The Braves have claimed pitched Jesse Biddle off waivers from the Pirates. [@adamdberry]
Kids in clubhouse: What are major-leaguers without kids saying about the Drake LaRoche saga? [The Stew]
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
