HOUSTON • During Randal Grichuk’s summerlong search for his swing, the Cardinals have moved their putative center fielder in and out of the lineup, down and up and back again from the minors. All of that movement, they acknowledge, has sent mixed messages about the hitter they want him to be or the hitter he has to be to stay and play.

So, manager Mike Matheny intends to try a new approach.

He wants to give Grichuk “freedom” to find himself.

“I want to see this kid free,” Matheny said Sunday at Wrigley Field. “It’s like we’ve got this stallion that we’ve got all pent-up in the stable. I want to see him run. I want to see him play the game. I want to see him do his thing. I’m hoping this will give him a little more room to breathe.”

While not guaranteeing that Grichuk will be his everyday center fielder, Matheny agreed that it’s time to give Grichuk a long look and regular playing time, often at the position the Cardinals expected him to seize this season. The opening is there.