AP Skip Schumaker is back from the disabled list after missing the past three weeks with a strained hamstring, as the Cardinals activated him and optioned Maikel Cleto to Triple-A.
Assuming his hamstring holds up Schumaker should be in line for significant action in center field with Jon Jay on the DL, although Jay is close to beginning a minor-league rehab assignment for his shoulder injury.
Prior to the injury Schumaker was hitting .321 with an .810 OPS in 29 games following back-to-back sub-.700 OPS seasons that saw him go from regular to role player.
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- spudchukar - Jun 19, 2012 at 3:02 PM
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It is true that Skippy has stung the ball tantalizingly well so far this campaign. However, with Jay’s return eminent and Carpenter right around the corner, I for one fear a couple of days with multiple hits upon his return, and subsequently more playing time for the “sparkplug”. He still cannot run, has no power, is a below average second-baseman, is mediocre at best in Center, and while he plays hard, offers some versatility, and is a perennial .300 hitter, his OPB, OBS, SB numbers suck. Good to have you back Skippy, hope you come through when called upon to pinch hit.
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- spudchukar - Jun 19, 2012 at 3:04 PM
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…er, should read OBP, OPS, and SB..
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- goldenbear15 - Jun 19, 2012 at 3:45 PM
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you have to be kidding. You prefer Greene over Skip? I don’t care that he has no power. How the heck many second basemen do? I am glad he is back and hope he keeps hitting.
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- paperlions - Jun 19, 2012 at 4:11 PM
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The point is that Skip isn’t the answer either, he will hit a little better (though with no power at all), but his defense is 12 kinds of horrible…Greene makes bone-headed plays, but he gets to a lot of balls that Skip doesn’t even make a diving attempt for….his range is horrible.
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- spudchukar - Jun 20, 2012 at 2:51 PM
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No, readers of HardballTalk are well aware of my concerns for Greene. I prefer Descalso of the three but the truth is none of the three would be starting on most MLB teams. Greene is a better defender than Skippy, but his lack of contact, and mental miscues are still a cause for concern.
Schumaker on top of his lack of power, speed, and range, is also a poor base runner something that has always confounded me since he is generally a bright, gritty, hard-nosed player. All three will probably get playing time, I just do not want to see Skippy a regular, we have been down that road and the view isn’t very pretty. When all the marbles are at stake Descalso should get the nod.
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- stlouis1baseball - Jun 19, 2012 at 5:37 PM
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Good to have you back Skip. Hope you pick up the offense right where you left off.
Until J.J. gets back anyway.
