Cards happy to have Oquendo back

JUPITER, Fla. -- No one is happier to have Jose Oquendo back from the World Baseball Classic than St. Louis Cardinals outfieler-turned-second baseman Skip Schumaker.

The Cardinals are giving Schumaker a crash course in becoming an infielder, hoping his bat will offset any defensive liabilities. But the conversion hit a rough patch while infield instructor and third base coach Oquendo was away managing Puerto Rico's WBC team.

Schumaker continued to work with bench coach Joe Pettini during Oquendo's absence, and he's getting better. After making four errors early in the spring, he hasn't made one in two weeks.

Still, Schumaker is struggling with intricate details of the position.

"I'm not going to take anything away from Joe, because he really did help me a lot, but Oquendo has a special talent out there," Schumaker said.

By 9 a.m. every day in Florida, Schumaker is already on the back fields taking ground balls and working on positioning.

"We're working from the ground up -- from the feet, getting in a good position," Oquendo said. "Once you are in a good position, you are going to be able to make more plays."

Schumaker's footwork has failed him most often on double play attempts. He has made the turn countless times in spring drills and morning sessions, but it's harder with a runner barreling down on him.

He's had to learn timing, positioning and elusiveness, all aspects that can't really be applied properly until they are experienced in game action.

Schumaker's learning that one of the same tools that made him a good outfielder, a strong arm, also can pay dividends as a second baseman, affording him more time when turning the double play.

Things are getting better. He has been part of four double plays in the five games since Oquendo's return.

"It took me a while to figure out what was going to work for me," Schumaker said. He feels better at second, but is still not comfortable there.

"I realize that I have more time than I thought and I didn't have to be as quick as I thought. Just catch it and use my arm to throw," he said.

Adam Kennedy and Aaron Miles split time at second base last season. The Cardinals cut Kennedy before spring training, and Miles was allowed to leave as a free agent, signing with the Cubs.

With depth in the outfield, manager Tony La Russa decided to try Schumaker at second base -- he played some infield in college. Schumaker hit .302 last season and is considered the best bet to hit leadoff.

La Russa figures Schumaker has the mental makeup to handle the switch.

"He's that kind of dedicated, talented athlete who's willing to work," La Russa said. "He's improving as a second baseman, but there's still two weeks before you have to make that decision. If he plays second it's good for our club."

If Schumaker isn't ready, La Russa likely will turn to utility infielder Brendan Ryan at second base for opening day. But that wouldn't mean the experiment is over.

"We're going to make it work," Oquendo said. "It's going to be fine.

"We are going to be able to use him. That gives [La Russa] another option to get Schumaker in the games and get more at-bats."