JUPITER, Fla. • As the Cardinals gathered in the clubhouse Saturday morning before their first Grapefruit League game, shortstop Aledmys Diaz yielded the stool in front of his locker to the newest Cardinal of them all, Jose Adolis Garcia. At Garcia’s feet was his new team bag with two bats sticking out, both gifts from Diaz and branded with his No. 36.
Signed Friday evening and thrown into major-league spring training less than 17 hours later, Garcia is the Cardinals’ latest Cuban import. In him, Diaz sees himself, three years ago.
“Didn’t know anybody, didn’t know the language,” he said.