The only member of the hitting group not expected to contribute in the majors this season, Elehuris Montero stepped into the batting shell on the field farthest from the Cardinals’ spring clubhouse and had one swing to do what the others could not.
When the five Cardinals reached the final round of their batting practice, the pitcher had five baseballs left — one for each player. It could have been Matt Wieters, or maybe Brad Miller, who suggested they finish this February workout with a long-drive contest.