Outfielder Jon Jay out for Thursday’s Grapefruit League opening

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St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay, who is expected to be the Opening Day starter in center field, is expected to miss Thursday’s opening day of the Grapefruit League.

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The outfielder has been involved with the full-squad workouts according to MLB.com beat writer Jenifer Langosch but Cardinals manager Mike Matheny does not think he will be ready in time to play when the Cardinals start playing exhibition games during Spring Training this week.

"“He’s getting stronger and everything is measuring out well,” Matheny said. “He did some more this morning, just pushed it a little bit further. He’s taking gradual steps. Everything we’ve heard is positive.”"

Just days after the end of the 2014 baseball season, the outfielder had surgery on his wrist and the recovery time took away from his offseason program.

Michael Wacha, Tim Cooney, Jaime Garcia, John Gast, Zach Petrick, Mike Mayers, Matt Belisle, Randy Choate, Seth Maness, Kevin Siegrist, Miguel Socolovich and Nick Greenwood were amongst those pitchers that took the mound when the Cardinals took batting practice on Sunday.

While Mark Reynolds was signed to serve as a complement to first baseman Matt Adams, he’s also getting some reps in this spring at third base. Perhaps he will be making a spot start at third base should Matt Carpenter need a day off?

Shortstop Jhonny Peralta feels better heading into the 2015 baseball season. Entering the 2014 season, Peralta was not only adjusting to a new environment and a new set of teammates but also dealing with his being involved with the Biogenesis scandal that shook up baseball during the 2013 season. In any event, he led the club in home runs and doubles during the 2014 season.

Randal Grichuk, who hasn’t been in full workouts since Thursday, expects to return to full workouts today.

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