Mar. 14—JUPITER, Fla. — Back at the scene of the slide, Cardinals prospect Jordan Walker will be in the lineup, playing the field, and batting third.

Walker, who left a game over the weekend with a shoulder strain, cleared all the exams Sunday morning, went back into the batting cage a few hours later, and said after an off day Monday he would be OK to go. He just needed the manager’s printer to ink his name onto the lineup card.

(Who uses pens to write lineups anymore?)

And there it is.

Walker slides in between center fielder Dylan Carlson and catcher Willson Contreras as the Cardinals return from their final off day to face Houston at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The Cardinals have strategically rearranged their pitching plans, as reported this past weekend in the Post-Dispatch. In order to get relievers against better competition, the Cardinals are going to use relievers at the beginning of at least today’s game. They may do it again this week. It is effectively an “opener,” but the goal is to get the relievers against everyday big-leaguers before those big-leaguers leave the game.

Zack Thompson draws the first “opener” assignment, and the lefty will lead a group into the game that includes Packy Naughton and Anthony Misiewicz. The lefties will share the first four innings of the exhibition game.

Jake Woodford, who is competing for a long relief spot or more in the bullpen, will close the final five innings of the game, if possible.

Dakota Hudson is scheduled for a back field game at the Roger Dean Stadium several hours before first pitch vs. Houston.

Tommy Edman is on his way back to join the team in Florida, and he’s expected in the area sometime Tuesday evening. There will be a plan for him to return to workouts through this week.

Here’s the lineup headed south on the bus: 1. Brendan Donovan, 2B 2. Dylan Carlson, CF 3. Jordan Walker, LF 4. Willson Contreras, C 5. Nolan Gorman, 3B 6. Juan Yepez, 1B 7. Alec Burleson, RF 8. Paul DeJong, SS 9. Andrew Knizner, DH Starting pitcher: Zack Thompson, LHP.