JUPITER, Fla. • One spring training game doesn't mean much. But you only get one chance to make a first impression. New Cardinals shortstop Ruben Tejada made a good one in a 5-2 loss to the Marlins in Sunday's Grapefruit League at Roger Dean Stadium.
The former Met, wearing No. 19, started, hit eighth and played the whole game. He displayed a steady glove, helped turn a couple double plays and got a hit. A red-clad crowd of 7,163 approved.
"You just give him a blank canvas, and a new start," Matheny said of Tejada before the loss.