MIAMI—For those who had been concerned about Harrison Bader’s offense this year if he had been in the Cardinals’ lineup, consider that the two players who replaced the center fielder in the lineup while he has been on the injured list with a forearm problem had not even reached base before Tuesday.
Dylan Carlson moved from right to center but hadn’t had a hit in his past three games after hitting a three-run homer in the first game of the season. But the right fielders who replaced Bader didn’t reach base in their first 15 at-bats.
Lefthanded-hitting Justin Williams was nothing for nine with five strikeouts, all in his past five at-bats, and Dean nothing for six with four strikeouts, three coming when he gained a start on Monday.