Aledmys Diaz to make debut today for St. Louis Cardinals
By Danielle

Cuban shortstop Aledmys Diaz will make his debut today for St. Louis Cardinals after signing with the team this past month. Diaz, who went to Mexico this week to take care of visa issues, will play stop while Pete Kozma will cover third base.
Mar 10, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals newly acquired shortstop Aledmys Diaz (95) goes through infield drills before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Roger Dean Stadium. Image Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Outside of Shane Robinson playing in center field and Kozma playing third, the rest of today’s roster against the Washington Nationals appears to be the new normal for the Cardinals with Matt Adams at first and Allen Craig in right. Adam Wainwright will start the game on the mound.
Jose Almarante and Ronnie Shaban, both in minor league camp, have been made available to come out of the bullpen for today’s exhibition game in the Grapefruit League.
Playing the Miami Marlins yesterday, the Cardinals lost 4-3 but had a big inning in the fifth inning. The highlight was an RBI triple from center fielder Peter Bourjos. Bourjos’ triple scored Jhonny Peralta and Daniel Descalso. Bourjos would score shortly when Jon Jay‘s single took a bad hop and hit second baseman Derek Dietrich in the face.
Lance Lynn gave up three runs in four innings. The Cardinals pitcher allowed four hits and struck out five.
On the bullpen front, there are four pitchers competing for the final spot in the pen. Trevor Rosenthal will handle closing duties. The eighth inning guys will be Kevin Siegrist or one of Joe Kelly or Carlos Martinez, pending the outcome of the rotation battle. Seth Maness, who could be used as a long reliever, will be in pen. Lefty specialist Randy Choate will be there as will Pat Neshek, who signed a minor league deal with an invitation to the major league camp during Spring Training.
Jason Motte will take the seventh spot when he returns from the disabled list but for the time being, the battle is between Jorge Rondon, Keith Butler, Sam Freeman and Scott McGregor. Freeman is the only lefty of the bunch.