The Latest on Rafael Furcal

If you went to bed thinking that Rafael Furcal would likely start the season on the DL, chances are that you would be correct.

The shortstop was tested yesterday morning by Dr. George Paletta and is expected to meet with Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday. Surgery may be recommended. Or it may not. The Cardinals should know something by the end of the week.

By Friday, the fan base ought to have an idea of whether Furcal or Pete Kozma will be the opening day short stop. Based on the early numbers in over a week’s worth of Spring Training games, it sure won’t be Ronny Cedeno.

While the Cardinals lost 7-0 to the Minnesota Twins yesterday, Michael Wacha showed some impressive work once more. In 2 2/3 scoreless innings, he struck out 3. This is Wacha’s line in the spring training action so far: 7 2/3 innings, four hits, one walk, no earned runs and 11 strikeouts. He allowed two hits by the Twins yesterday. While nothing is definitive yet, he very well might be playing his way onto the big league club. If not, I would expect some starts at the AA and AAA level but the quality of opposing batters faced is a 9.1, which places them between AAA and MLB level.

Lance Lynn was rocked early and left the game with the Twins leading 3-0. It’s still early but fans would prefer that Lynn shows up with how appeared in the first half of last season more so than what was seen of him in the second half. Whether the weight difference has an effect on how he does this season remains to be seen.

Bernie wonders if this season presents an opportunity for Oscar Taveras. Frankly, I cannot blame the guy for thinking such thoughts. Taveras could easily spell the three outfielders wheras Matt Adams could only spell Allen Craig or Matt Carpenter at first base.