Tyler Greene exploded for two home runs, a double and four RBI in Sunday's win over the Astros.

Greene also stole his third base. The owner of a .200/.304/.300 triple slash and just one home run entering this afternoon's proceedings, Greene is now batting .256/.360/.512. His playing time will continue to be limited going forward, but Greene may have at least removed himself from the roster bubble for the time being.

Tyler Greene went 2-for-4 and homered Wednesday as the Cardinals topped the Tigers 9-5.

Greene will be the Cards' second baseman, but it looks like the team is going to hit him eighth initially, with Rafael Furcal manning the leadoff spot. That could change in a hurry if Furcal continues to struggle. In the meantime, Greene should have limited value in NL-only leagues.

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Tyler Greene is the Cardinals' preferred candidate to start at second base.

"One of the things myself, Mike (Matheny) and the major-league staff thought was intriguing was giving Tyler Greene an opportunity to take this position," GM John Mozeliak said. "His athleticism and what he brings to the table as far as speed and power... it's a unique skill set. (That) set is something that traditionally we haven't had in our lineup." Greene is just a .218/.307/.313 hitter over 359 plate appearances across three seasons for the Cards, but he boasts a .291/.373/.477 career line at Triple-A and has some pop and some speed. He offers 30+ steal potential in a starting role. Daniel Descalso and Skip Schumaker will be his competition for the second base job.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said Saturday that Tyler Greene could become the team's starting second baseman.

Mozeliak called Greene an "unbelievable talent" while issuing that rather surprising suggestion. The 28-year-old has played primarily at shortstop throughout his professional career, but he's highly athletic and may be capable of making a smooth transition to second base this spring. Greene batted .323 with a 1.001 OPS, 14 home runs and 19 steals in 66 games last year at Triple-A Memphis. He'll be battling Daniel Descalso in camp.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he would be comfortable with Tyler Greene as the team's starting shortstop.

"It's about if we can retain Albert, then we're going to look like 'X,' if we can't then we'll go this direction," said Mozeliak. "The risk is, yes, if you wait too long for resolution (with Pujols) then there could some opportunities that go away. . If we had to wake up and give Tyler Greene an opportunity (at shortstop) we would be comfortable with that." Greene, 28, has a .218/.307/.313 batting line over 359 plate appearances in the big leagues. The Cards remain interested in keeping Rafael Furcal and the veteran shortstop is willing to wait out contract talks with Albert Pujols to a certain degree. However, Goold speculates that the Cards could turn their attention to Jimmy Rollins if Pujols ends up signing elsewhere.

Cardinals recalled SS Tyler Greene from Triple-A Memphis.

Rafael Furcal will remain the Cardinals' starting shortstop down the stretch, but Greene is going to be rewarded for his fine season at Triple-A with several random looks. The 28-year-old batted .323/.422/.579 with 14 home runs in 66 games this year for Memphis.

The Cardinals will promote shortstop Tyler Greene from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.

Catcher Tony Cruz and outfielder Adron Chambers will be joining him. Greene has posted a sparkling .323/.422/.579 batting line with 14 home runs and 43 RBI in 66 games at the Triple-A level this season, but he struggled in an extended look with the Cardinals earlier this year and probably won't play a ton down the stretch.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said on 590 The Fan in St. Louis Friday that Tyler Greene will be promoted from Triple-A Memphis.

Mozeliak said he isn't sure at this point whose roster spot Greene will take, as it will depend on which of the three players injured Thursday (Nick Punto, Gerald Laird and Tony Cruz) is hurt the worst. We're guessing it will be Punto that's headed to the DL, as he suffered a strained oblique that will almost surely keep him out multiple days.

Cardinals optioned INF Tyler Greene to Triple-A Memphis.

It was probably overdue. The Cardinals gave Greene 101 at-bats as a utility infielder and occasional outfielder, but he managed just a .198/.308/.267 batting line while committing a handful of defensive miscue. He'll go down to Triple-A to play every day.

Tyler Greene is getting the start at second base for the Cardinals Tuesday.

Greene and Daniel Descalso will likely be used in a platoon at second while Skip Schumaker is sidelined, at least until Nick Punto can get up to speed. With left-hander John Lannan on the mound for the Nats Tuesday, the right-handed hitting Greene gets the call.

Tyler Greene has been sidelined the last three days with a case of the flu.

He should be back in the lineup soon. Greene is batting just .219 over 32 at-bats this spring, but he's a near lock to make the roster, especially with Nick Punto slated to start the year on the DL. The utility infielder has even seen some action in center field this spring.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa suggested Sunday that Tyler Greene might see time in center field this season.

It wasn't meant as a jab at Colby Rasmus, who has complained about not being treated like a regular. It was simply a suggestion about building a good base of depth. "We talked about Tyler maybe getting some at-bats out there," said La Russa, the veteran skipper. "Spring Training, we're kind of creative about what we try down there, with a point to make. Nothing crazy."

Cardinals recalled SS Tyler Greene from Triple-A Memphis.

Let's hope this spells the end of Aaron Miles' regular looks at second base. Greene, 27, has hit a respectable .284/.355/.456 with nine homers and 12 stolen bases in 82 games this season at the Triple-A level. He can play second, shortstop, or third base for the second-place Cardinals.

Cardinals activated SS Tyler Greene from the 15-day disabled list; optioned him to Triple-A Memphis.

Greene is 0-for-7 since joining Single-A Palm Beach for a rehab assignment and still has some work to do before his injured hand is ready for big league action. It'll be a real shame, though, if he's not called up soon. Aaron Miles has hit a bunch of singles so far in the bigs but that won't last.

Tyler Greene (hand) is 0-for-7 since beginning a minor league rehab assignment at Single-A Palm Beach.

Greene was placed on the disabled list in early August with a badly bruised right hand and probably won't rejoin the Cardinals until early September. He was batting .265/.359/.412 in 68 major league at-bats.

Tyler Greene has been assigned to Single-A Palm Beach to begin his rehab assignment.

Greene has been on the DL since Aug. 1 with a right hand contusion.

Tyler Greene (hand) will begin his rehab in Florida this weekend.

He will travel with the team to Miami and then go to Jupiter, Florida to work with one of the two minor-league affiliates at the team's spring training site. It's not clear how long Greene, who was placed on the DL Sunday, will be out.

Tyler Greene is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his hand Tuesday.

Greene has been playing with a wrap on his right hand for close to three weeks and was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday. If the MRI shows any structural damage, he could be out for quite a while. The 26-year-old was batting .265/.359/.412 with two homers and eight RBI in 68 at-bats.

Cardinals optioned SS Tyler Greene to Triple-A Memphis.

Greene had his moments in his latest stint with the big club and it looked for a time that he might supplant Brendan Ryan as the starting shortstop. But he missed a few days with a bruised hand and Ryan has hit a lot better recently. The roster spot was needed for the newly acquired Jake Westbrook.

Tyler Greene returned to action on Thursday July 22.