Brendan Ryan Back! So...Who's the Odd Man Out? UPDATE: Kennedy Out

Brendan Ryan is in the lineup at third base for today's game against the Dodgers. Encarnacion is suspiciously absent yet again as Ankiel gets the start for the fourth straight game in right field. Ludwick is scheduled to play left field and So Taguchi is in center. Looks like La Russa is giving lefties like Edmonds and Duncan a break. Today's starting pitcher for L.A. is a left-hander - most likely the reason Miles is also in the lineup instead of left-handed hitter Adam Kennedy.

This begs the question, who is the odd man out on the Cardinals' roster? For Ryan to come up, a move discussed since Spiezio's departure, someone had to go down. Juan has been clearly bothered by his lack of playing time since the arrival of Rick Ankiel. With Ludwick and Taguchi both in the lineup today, I have to wonder if Juan is the odd man out. Of course, keeping Juan out of the lineup today COULD mean the Cardinals have finally cut a deal to send him elsewhere.

This should be interesting...

UPDATE! Oops...looks like Kennedy is the odd man out. The second baseman injured his knee and is scheduled to undergo surgery soon. He's been placed on the 15-day DL. I hate to see Adam injured, but, on the bright side, Ryan has been a better offensive option in his limited time with the club. Miles has as well...so...who knows? Maybe this is all for the best...especially if Kennedy comes back better than before.