Does the Schu fit?

JUPITER, Fla. -- For Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, breaking in another second baseman seems like an annual rite of spring.

"It's been kind of the routine, hasn't it? " La Russa said.

Since the end of the 2003 season, the Cardinals have had 21 players take a turn at second base. None of them were named Skip Schumaker.

Which is why La Russa is not worried about trying to replace Adam Kennedy with Schumaker, an outfielder by trade who has not played an inning at the position at any level.

"If we get to the end and he ends up getting some playing time at second base, then we'll do something about the outfield," La Russa said. "But right now we're at the first couple of squares, which is taking ground balls, making a few pivots, see if it makes sense to go forward."

St. Louis Cardinals' Skip Schumaker picks himself up after being tagged out at the plate during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Thursday, April 26, 2007 in St. Louis. Schumaker had a career-best three hits and two RBIs, helping the Cardinals rally from an early four-run deficit to beat the Reds 7-5 (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Schumaker will make his unofficial debut at second base Wednesday when the Cardinals play the Marlins in both teams' spring season opener. Schumaker, 28, played most of his 153 games last season in center field. But the Cardinals saw a versatile athlete who played shortstop in college, and they have a crowded outfield.

"I knew the situation," Schumaker said. "We have a good outfield and guys who have to play everyday. Tony has to be creative with the outfielders. Not having one of us sit every day is key for our lineups to be good."

The transition has been slow, but steady. Schumaker is working with infield coach Jose Oquendo, who admits that patience is important early in the spring.

"I'm not comfortable yet, that's for sure," Schumaker said. "I don't think I'm going to be comfortable for a while."

The objective early in camp is making the routine plays.

"Automatic outs have to be outs and routine double plays have to be routine," he said. "The toughest part for me is to get everything down to where it's second nature."

La Russa is calling this a win-win situation. If Schumaker proves he can handle the position, then the Cardinals have opened a spot for another talented outfielder, most likely top-prospect Colby Rasmus.

If not, he returns to the outfield and Brendan Ryan, who has played second, third and shortstop during his two years in the majors, is a capable choice.

In either case, Schumaker who hit .302 in 2008, his first full season in the big leagues, is slated to be the Cardinals' leadoff hitter.

"We're going to make it work," La Russa said. "There is no bad result here. It's only going to be good or better."