LAKELAND, Fla. -- Two weeks from Thursday, the Cardinals will play an afternoon game against the Yankees and then board a flight for Pittsburgh, where, three days later, the team will open Major League Baseball's season. The countdown is on.
But while much of Spring Training may be in the rearview mirror, there remain roster spots up for grabs and ongoing evaluations. Here is a look at five questions still to be answered between now and the Cardinals' impending departure from Florida:
Who will emerge the starting shortstop?
The thumb injury to Jhonny Peralta added an unexpected wrinkle to the Cardinals' plans, as they're now in a race against the clock to determine whether Aledmys Diaz is Major League ready or if Jedd Gyorko is defensively capable to handle a position he only began playing last year.