NEW YORK -- As manager Mike Matheny tries to seek the best way to keep his position players fresh, he has made an adjustment this year in terms of how he is building in what he sees as necessary days off.
On a day in which he unplugged both left fielder Matt Holliday and catcher Yadier Molina from the lineup, Matheny explained on Thursday that he often looks as far as a week in advance to start scheduling those days off. That gives players an opportunity to see a break coming, but it also offers them a chance to discuss potentially swapping it for a different day based on matchup preferences or feeling.