Nick

Stavinoha

Stavinoha has been a disappointment this year after an impressive pro debut in 2005. He’s hitting .271/.310/.407 in 307 at-bats, and since he’s already 24, he couldn’t really afford the lackluster campaign.

Stavinoha batted .270 with a decent .817 OPS in 133 games this season at Triple-A Memphis, but he’s a poor outfielder and is unlikely to reach the majors in Houston.

Stavinoha has signed a contract with the Hiroshima Carp of Japan’s Central League and is likely to spend the entire 2012 season overseas. He batted .270 with an .817 OPS in 133 games this past year at Triple-A Memphis.

Nick Stavinoha starts in Holliday’s place. He’ll play left field and bat seventh in the Cardinals’ order.

Nick Stavinoha will start in right field, batting second against right-hander Roy Halladay. In an effort to shake things up, Brendan Ryan is also on the bench, with Tyler Greene starting at shortstop and batting ninth.

The Cards have an off-day on Monday, so this is a way to maximize his rest days. Nick Stavinoha takes his place in left field.

Stavinoha has been up and down all season and may never settle in as a major league outfielder. He returns to a .234/.242/.359 batting line.

Stavinoha batted just .193 last year for the Cardinals in 29 games, but added first base to his repertoire this year in Triple-A. He had four home runs and should see time off the bench.

His sixth inning double plated Yadier Molina and Joe Thurston to break a 2-2 tie. Stavinoha later came around to score on a wild pitch to push the Cardinals lead to three runs. Stavinoha is batting .267/.277/.444 with one homer and 12 RBI since being recalled from Triple-A Memphis on May 13. He doesn’t present much fantasy value.

He’ll face Manny Parra. Parra has been tougher against left-handers in his career, so Chris Duncan is taking a seat. With the Cardinals’ offense struggling, Stavinoha could play himself into a platoon with Duncan.