“For now, I’m better off being in Florida. I want to be around the family — my wife, mother-in-law, sister-in-law,” said Oquendo, who lives in nearby Stuart, Fla.

“I had a good time over there (in St. Louis), but I like being around these younger players, trying to bring them up the proper way, so that when they get to the major-league level, they know what to expect.

“Some kids get to the major leagues and they’re not 100 percent prepared, either to play the game or, if they can do that, understand the game.

“We have a good core of players in the organization and I want to make sure I can help them understand what to expect when they get to the major-league level.”

Oquendo has had several surgical procedures on both his knees, and he said his legs would swell when he was traveling with the club by airplane.