Cardinals honor Stoneman Douglas victims

JUPITER, Fla. -- They stood in silence for 17 seconds, eyes closed and hands folded, more than four dozen players stretched down each foul line. Behind them, dispersed in the stands, sat members of the baseball and softball teams from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 people were killed in a mass shooting on Feb. 14.
Teams across Major League Baseball honored victims from Parkland, Fla., as Spring Training action opened in Florida and Arizona on Friday. The Marlins and Cardinals went the extra mile prior to their Grapefruit League opener, which Miami won, 6-4.

The clubs joined in hosting the baseball and softball teams and the student-athletes' families. A 17-second moment of silence preceded the national anthem, in honor of the 17 people killed. MLB players wore caps with a maroon "SD," for Stoneman Douglas.
"It's a sad day," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "There are things in this world that are hard to explain. There are a whole lot of questions they are going through now. I think when you see people around you supporting you, people who care … the league did a great job. I know the Marlins have gone to some even further lengths to let these kids know the world is thinking about them. What they're going through is really hard. Just tough. Tough day. When you think about all they're going through at this point, whatever you can do on a small level to let them know they're not alone in their grief, I think that's helpful."

No timetable for Carpenter
Cardinals first baseman Matt Carpenter continues to spend most of his day in the training room in an attempt to work his way out of some early-spring back tightness.
"He's been in there nonstop," Matheny said. "All day."
Carpenter's back stiffened up after he arrived early to camp last week. He did not participate in any on-field workouts after position players officially reported earlier this week. The Cardinals will take it slow with Carpenter, giving Luke Voit and Patrick Wisdom some extra reps at first base in the meantime.
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"This is like Disney World for a baseball rat," Matheny said, looking around the club's Spring Training complex. "You can come down here, work all you want. You're in the sunshine, beautiful facilities. You have every single coach and trainer at your disposal. He comes down here, and he usually overloads. He's doing too much. So this could be one of those blessings in disguise. We want to get him right. We want to get him healthy, then figure out how to get his timing right."
No timetable for Carpenter
Adam Wainwright likely won't make his Grapefruit League debut until late next week, Matheny said. Matheny did not specify exactly when Wainwright would pitch, only that it would be after Jack Flaherty's next turn through the spring rotation. Flaherty started on Friday, pitching two scoreless innings. That would line up Wainwright to start sometime after Wednesday.
Cecil getting closer
Matheny said left-handed reliever Brett Cecil is "probably not too far" from throwing a bullpen. Cecil's schedule was pushed back after he reported to camp a week late due to a personal matter.
Who goes on the road?
The Cardinals will travel a handful of regulars for their first true road game of the spring on Saturday in Port St. Lucie against the Mets. Shortstop Paul DeJong, third baseman Jedd Gyorko, first baseman/outfielder José Martínez and Bud Norris will make the trip, along with starting pitcher Carlos Martínez. All will be making their Grapefruit League debuts for the 12:10 p.m. CT contest, which will air on MLB.TV.