Blaze Jordan was absent from the Cardinals lineup for Friday's game in Toronto, with the team opting to give him a breather after the Cubs series earlier this week.
It was a straightforward lineup change rather than a major shift in approach, but it did move Jose Fermin into third base duties for the series opener.
Jordan gets a break after 2-for-12 against the Cubs
The decision came after Jordan went 2-for-12 at the dish in the series versus the Cubs. That kind of line does not tell the full story of a player, but it was enough for the Cardinals to step back and give him some time out of the lineup.
Friday in Toronto therefore became a chance for the Cardinals to adjust one spot in the infield without changing the wider shape of the team. For Jordan, the absence suggests a reset rather than anything more significant.
Jose Fermin steps in at third base
With Jordan out, Jose Fermin took over at third base for the opener. That was the key personnel change on the day, and it answered the immediate question of who would fill the role.
Whether Jordan is back in the lineup quickly will depend on the Cardinals' next selection call, but the move on Friday was clearly designed to manage his workload after the Cubs series. For now, the spotlight is simply on a routine breather and a temporary switch at third.
