document: Cardinals hold off on putting Holliday on DL ST. LOUIS -LRB- AP -RRB- - The St. Louis Cardinals decided not to put Matt Holliday on the disabled list Saturday , opting to wait a few days to see if the slugger can make a speedy return from an appendectomy . The left fielder had the surgery Friday but the team believes the condition was caught early and he could be back before the end of a 15-day DL stint . Manager Tony La Russa said the team would wait until Monday or Tuesday , hinting that Holliday might even stop by Busch Stadium on Saturday . '' `` They 're saying it went well , '' '' La Russa said . '' `` That 's all I know so far . '' '' David Freese took Holliday 's cleanup spot against San Diego Padres left-hander Clayton Richard , and Allen Craig played in left field . La Russa said he 'd likely move Lance Berkman , a switch hitter who 's been more productive batting left-handed in recent seasons , up from fifth to cleanup against right-handed pitchers while Holliday is out . Albert Pujols said he spoke with Holliday before the laparoscopic procedure and was optimistic he 'd be back soon . '' `` Obviously , his presence is going to be missed , '' '' Pujols said . '' `` When you look at that lineup , you 're expecting Matt to be there , and he wo n't be there probably for the next week or so . '' '' Craig , who was batting sixth , and Jon Jay will get the bulk of the playing time . Craig has long been considered one of the franchise 's best offensive prospects , but has struggled in a bench role . '' `` I think that 's tough for anybody , '' '' Craig said . '' `` We always want to be in the lineup and be playing every day and it 's easier to make adjustments . But it 's part of my job , and part of the job for all the guys that are n't playing a lot , to be ready . '' '' Craig got work at third base in spring training as a backup option for Freese , who is coming off surgery to both ankles last season . Craig does n't care where the Cardinals put him . Craig started at all four corner positions last year , with 23 of his 27 starts in right field , two in left field and one each at first base and third base . La Russa said Berkman would stay in right field . '' `` It 's good to be good at a bunch of positions , '' '' Craig said . '' `` Then they can put you in the lineup wherever they need you . '' '' Freese batted cleanup once last year as a rookie , going 0 for 4 at Pittsburgh May 9 . La Russa batted Freese fourth in spring games when Holliday had the day off .
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