JUPITER, Fla. • Outfielder Oscar Taveras, who has been able to play in just two games this spring after offseason right ankle surgery and then a right hamstring strain, was optioned to Class AAA Memphis after the Cardinals' game today.

"I think there were a lot of questions coming into camp," general manager John Mozeliak said, referring to the health of Taveras' ankle. "And unfortunately they weren't all answered.

"Obviously, he was slowed early on by his ankle and then most recently by a slight hamstring strain. We could never really get him going. ... It's going to be hard to get him playing time."

Mozeliak said Taveras needs to get his timing through minor-league at-bats. The GM added that the next two weeks will determine if Taveras will be ready to play by Memphis' opening day.

The goal is for him to be in a minor-league game by Saturday.

Righthanded pitcher Eric Fornataro and catcher Audry Perez also were optioned to Memphis.