Taveras is out of the Cardinals' lineup again Friday. Shane Robinson will start in right field for a second straight day, this time against a right-hander in Tyson Ross. There has been no word of an injury to Taveras, who is batting just .195/.267/.244 so far this month, so perhaps manager Mike Matheny just thinks he could benefit from an extended mental rest.

Taveras is out of the lineup Thursday against the Padres. Manager Mike Matheny will give the nod in right field to Shane Robinson on Thursday, as he stacks his lineup with as mostly right-handed bats against lefty Eric Stults. Taveras hit safely in six straight games to begin August, but he's gone just 2-for-21 in six games since.

Taveras will move up to sixth in the order Friday. Taveras has been stuck behind A.J. Pierzynski in the order since taking over the everyday job in right field from Allen Craig (foot), but it he'll move up to the six-hole Friday against Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman. The 22-year-old Taveras has hit safely in seven straight games and could eventually supplant Jhonny Peralta in the No. 5 spot.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak told Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he was never close to trading outfielder Oscar Taveras. Taveras was floated as a possible centerpiece for trades involving players like David Price and Jon Lester, but the Cardinals got Justin Masterson from the Indians on Wednesday afternoon for outfield prospect James Ramsey and appear to be done dealing. According to Miklasz, the Cards' GM was "amused by the speculation that had him moving Taveras." Now if only manager Mike Matheny would play the ultra-talented 21-year-old on a regular basis.

Oscar Taveras is not in the Cardinals' starting lineup on Tuesday night against the Rays. Taveras has started only two of the Cardinals' last seven games and will for some reason sit Tuesday versus a right-hander -- Rays starter Jake Odorizzi. Taveras hasn't performed very well in his first taste of the major league level, but he's not going to get any better with only sporadic at-bats. Allen Craig is in right field in Tuesday's series-opener versus Tampa Bay.

Oscar Taveras is not in the Cardinals' lineup Friday. We're struggling to figure out what the Cards are doing with the Taveras. He's now been benched for three out of the last four games, and all of them have been against right-handed pitching. Meanwhile, Allen Craig continues to look as feeble as ever at the plate and is back in the lineup again Friday. Taveras isn't going to have much mixed league value at the rate he's playing. Perhaps a spot will be cleared for him (or he'll be in another organization) after the trade deadline.

Oscar Taveras is not in the Cardinals' lineup Friday. Taveras went hitless Thursday following two straight multi-hit games, and that was apparently enough to earn him a spot on Mike Matheny's bench. Allen Craig is playing right field against Yovani Gallardo and the Brewers.

Oscar Taveras had the first multi-hit game of his major league career on Tuesday, finishing 2-for-4 with a run scored against the Pirates.Taveras singled and scored in the second inning before beating out an infield hit in the fourth. He's 5-for-20 (.250) in seven games since being recalled, and the top prospect is hitting just .200/.234/.300 overall. As he continues to adjust to major league pitching, those numbers should steadily go up in the second half.

Oscar Taveras had the first multi-hit game of his major league career on Tuesday, finishing 2-for-4 with a run scored against the Pirates. Taveras singled and scored in the second inning before beating out an infield hit in the fourth. He's 5-for-20 (.250) in seven games since being recalled, and the top prospect is hitting just .200/.234/.300 overall. As he continues to adjust to major league pitching, those numbers should steadily go up in the second half.

Oscar Taveras hit an RBI ground-rule double Friday in a win over the Marlins. The double extended the Cardinals' lead to 3-0, but it ended up being the difference in the ballgame. Taveras is 3-for-14 (.214) with two doubles, two RBI, and a run scored in four games since returning from the minors and should continue to get regular playing time as the Cardinals attempt to generate offense. The 22-year-old is worth picking up in any fantasy leagues where he was dropped.