At this point on the calendar, with report date supposed to be a page away, Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong would be gathering for grounders with fielding guru Jose Oquendo and several teammates in Jupiter, Fla. They meet early to tune their footwork and get a step ahead on spring training.
DeJong is in Jupiter with a glove handy.
Oquendo lives nearby and knows where fungo bats lean.
But the persisting lockout keeps them apart as major-league club officials, including coaches, cannot communicate with players on the 40-man roster. No early reps in the hitting lab with coach Jeff Albert.