Cody

McKay

Two months after losing his job as Mike Matheny’s backup, McKay is back to act as the the Cardinals’ third catcher.

McKay, 29, was given a major league contract by the Brewers last winter, but he failed to make the team out of spring training. Since he had a disappointing season for Triple-A Indianapolis (.232, 620 OPS in 371 AB), he probably won’t get much of a chance to earn a spot on the Cardinals as Mike Matheny’s backup.

It’s rather surprising that McKay, the lone backup catcher candidate on the 40-man roster, was the first guy eliminated from the race. Javier Valentin, Keith Osik and Eddie Perez will continue to compete for a spot as Robert Machado’s backup.

McKay is batting just .205 with one extra-base hit in 39 at-bats this spring, but that was enough to impress the Cardinals, who have his father as a first base coach. Although Cody can also play the infield corners -- something that surely scored big with Tony La Russa -- don’t expect him to have any fantasy value.

It’s a strong indication that things aren’t going well when a team has to use a position player as a pitcher four games into the season. McKay didn’t give up a hit or strike out anyone in his two innings of work. He walked one batter.

He’ll be out four to six weeks.

At least the Cardinals no longer have three catchers. Yadier Molina will continue to split time with Mike Matheny, possibly for the rest of the season.

McKay’s right index finger was so badly dislocated that the bone came through the skin. Sounds like Yadier Molina might be in the majors to stay for a while.