Outfielder Jose Martinez is not in either lineup of Friday's split-squad games. Shildt said Martinez is fine and is expected to start Saturday.

Bader likes hitting leadoff

Let the record show that Matt Carpenter's non-batting-gloves-wearing grip remains locked to the leadoff role he has thrived in as a Cardinal.

Manager Mike Shildt, unlike his predecessor, is a fan of not messing with a good thing when it comes to this topic.

Carpenter is Shildt's leadoff man.

But when Carpenter has a day off, like Thursday, or when there are two games in two places at the same time, like Friday, then Shildt likes the look center fielder Harrison Bader offers at the top of the order. Bader concurs.

"It keeps me in it," Bader said. "It raises my level of expectations going into the game. It can be effective, for sure. Again, it's just a mindset. It's go up there and see seven pitches."

On Thursday, Bader hit leadoff during Carpenter's day off and became the first Cardinal in more than 25 years to steal three bases in a spring training game. He reached base via infield single, a curveball that he gladly wore on his back and a pulled single into left field.