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.

Taveras was 1-for-4 and hit a two-run home run in his first at-bat in Thursday's win over San Diego.

The home run was just his first since he hit one on his major league debut in June, and also came hours after learning he'd be receiving the lion's share of playing time in right field after the Allen Craig trade. Expect the young phenom to play better now that his playing time should be much more consistent.

Thursday's trade of Allen Craig to the Red Sox likely opens the door for Taveras to pick up regular playing time the rest of the season, Peter Gammons of MLB Network reports.

In acquiring John Lackey in exchange for Craig and Joe Kelly, the Cardinals clear up their outfield logjam, and Taveras figures to be the greatest beneficiary. Manager Mike Matheny has frustratingly yo-yoed Taveras in and out of the lineup during his brief time in the majors, with the outfielder's weak .208/.238/.271 line not helping his cause. Perhaps with the promise of everyday at-bats, Taveras can start to tap into the immense potential he demonstrated throughout his minor league career.

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 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.

Oscar Taveras is starting in center field for the Cardinals on Wednesday night against the Giants.

It'll be his first start at that position at the major league level. Taveras has played quite a bit of center field in the minors, but he offers below-average defense there and projects as a corner outfielder long term. Matt Holliday is in left field and Allen Craig is in right field on Wednesday in San Francisco. When everybody is clicking, this is the ideal offensive setup for St. Louis. But defensive range will be an issue -- especially at the cavernous AT&T Park.

Cardinals recalled OF Oscar Taveras from Triple-A Memphis.

Taveras is batting second and starting in right field in his return to the majors on Tuesday night in San Francisco. Matt Holliday is on the bench and Allen Craig will play left field. Taveras didn't do a whole lot in his first stint with the Cardinals earlier this season, but he's a very promising young hitter and should be owned in all standard fantasy formats.

Oscar Taveras will be recalled from Triple-A Memphis before Tuesday's series-opener against the Giants.

The announcement was made in a press release Monday. Taveras hit just .189/.225/.297 in an 11-game cup of coffee with the big club earlier this season, but he's one of the top offensive prospects in baseball and is worth picking back up in all mixed and NL-only fantasy leagues. The 22-year-old should get a large share of the playing time in right field going forward, with the struggling Allen Craig spending more time on the bench.

Cardinals outfield prospect Oscar Taveras went 2-for-4 with a home run and a walk for Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

Taveras singled in the first inning, homered in the third inning, and was intentionally walked in the fourth inning. He has gone 3-for-9 in three games back in the PCL, and should be back in the major leagues at some point later this season. The Cardinals front office does not seem to think that Taveras is a viable option in center field, so he will remain in Triple-A until there is another opening in an outfield corner or more interleague play.

Cardinals optioned OF Oscar Taveras to Triple-A Memphis.

It turns out that Taveras' promotion two weeks ago winds up being just a brief audition. The top prospect hit .189/.225/.297 with one homer over 10 games, and the Cards decided with Matt Adams returning from the disabled list that they wouldn't be able to give Taveras enough playing time in order to justify keeping him on the roster. It appears at this point that it will take an injury to someone for Taveras to get another shot, as St. Louis doesn't view him as a legitimate option in center field.

Oscar Taveras is not in the Cardinals' lineup Wednesday.

It's his first day off since being called up by the Cards on May 31. Taveras homered in his first major league game but is batting just .194/.231/.306 overall in his first 10 contests. There's a chance he could be sent down this weekend when Matt Adams (calf) returns from the DL.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Tuesday that giving Oscar Taveras some playing time in center field soon is not a priority.

"I think we're all pretty aware that you could put him out there," Matheny said. "It doesn't necessarily mean that's a position that he's suited for. We've seen him play center field before [in the Minors]. He can play it. I think it depends on what your need is." Given Matheny's comments, it would seem unlikely that Taveras would see regular playing time in center field when Matt Adams (calf) returns from the DL this weekend. There's a chance the Cards could send him to Triple-A, but it seems likelier that Randal Grichuk will be optioned, leaving Taveras to share time with Adams and Allen Craig between right field and first base. Taveras would also figure to play some center field, just not regularly.

Oscar Taveras went 1-for-4 in Thursday's loss to the Royals.

Taveras made headlines when he homered in his second major league at-bat in his debut on Saturday, but his average has dropped to .227 overall. The early struggles are nothing to be concerned about over the long haul.

Oscar Taveras homered in his second major league at-bat Saturday in the Cardinals' 2-0 win over the Giants.

Taveras opened the game's scoring with his solo blast in the bottom of the fifth -- a moonshot to right field that drew a curtain call from the 40,000-plus fans at Busch Stadium. The 21-year-old Dominican outfielder has a special swing and sky-high power upside. He is a must-start in all mixed fantasy leagues going forward.