Ryan

Jackson

Jackson managed one hit in eight at-bats with the Cardinals earlier this season. He could see action at shortstop if Daniel Descalso and Pete Kozma can’t get hot.

He’ll take the roster spot of Tyler Greene, who was traded to the Astros on Thursday. Jackson, 24, is a .266/.335/.370 hitter over parts of four seasons in the minors and will function as a utility infielder and backup shortstop.

Lauded for his defensive ability, Jackson has batted .269/.331/.398 with 10 homers at Memphis this season after hitting .278/.334/.415 with 11 dingers last year at Double-A. He’ll provide middle infield depth following the trade of Tyler Greene to the Astros.

Jackson’s playing time in his two weeks with the big club was minimal, as he picked up one hit in eight at-bats. He’ll be back up when rosters expand.

“It still hurts,” Furcal told reporters. “A lot.” The veteran shortstop opted to rehab a torn UCL in his throwing elbow rather than undergo Tommy John surgery, but it’s a bone spur in the elbow that is giving him more trouble right now. Furcal guesses that he probably won’t play the field for the first 10-15 games of spring training, though he could start some at DH. The Cardinals may have to start Ronny Cedeno at shortstop if Furcal’s issue lingers. Pete Kozma and Ryan Jackson could also be in the mix.

Jackson will hold down a roster spot until David Freese (back) is ready to return from the disabled list. The 24-year-old figures to function as a backup middle infielder during his brief stay with the team and doesn’t offer any fantasy value.

Jackson will provide middle infield depth for now, but is expected to head to the minors once David Freese (back) is ready to return from the disabled list. He may only be with the big club for about a week.

That right elbow remains a concern for Furcal and the Cardinals. Furcal, 35, tore a ligament in the elbow late in the 2012 season that kept him out the final two months, including the playoffs. As a result of the treatment, Furcal will not play in the field or bat left-handed until the pain subsides. His status for Opening Day is still uncertain. Ronny Cedeno would presumably fill in.

Jackson made the Opening Day roster as a backup middle infielder, but is no longer needed with David Freese ready to return from the disabled list. He should be back with the Cardinals at some point this season.

Just when it appeared that the recently-recalled Ryan Jackson might steal his job (or at least lift all of his at-bats against southpaws), Kozma finally got hot. He extended his hitting streak to four games on Tuesday and has gone 5-for-12 (.417) in that span. “He knows that we’ve had confidence in him,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “It’s something that we’ve continued to try and show to him and that he sees it on a consistent basis whether things are going well or not.” Matheny may eschew a traditional platoon in favor of a “hot hand” approach to the position. The skipper has said he’ll continue to find at-bats for Daniel Descalso and Jackson.