Spiezio may be starting right fielder on opening day

~ The untility man is stepping to the front of the field this spring.

JUPITER, Fla. -- The St. Louis Cardinals have a deep outfield with Preston Wilson, So Taguchi and possibly even Skip Schumaker in reserve.

So why is Scott Spiezio, a 34-year-old utility infielder, suddenly the favorite to be the opening-day starter in right field?

"Because he's playing his butt off," manager Tony La Russa said Monday.

With starter Juan Encarnacion still nursing his left wrist after December surgery and expected to start the season on the disabled list, Spiezio started three spring games in right field in the last week.

Though Spiezio has played just 19 games in right field in his 10-year career, he has impressed La Russa with his preparation and ability to adapt to wherever the manager puts him on the field.

"Spiezio is a competitor," La Russa said. "He's earning his at-bats."

Encarnacion isn't the only Cardinals outfielder on the mend. Center fielder Jim Edmonds still hasn't played this spring as he recovers from toe and shoulder surgery.

Spiezio, whose father Ed spent five years with the Cardinals in the 1960s, emerged as a fan favorite last season. Hundreds of fans even sported red "Spiezio beards" during the postseason, when Spiezio earned a couple of starts at third base for the ailing Scott Rolen. His two-out triple drove in the tying runs and helped the Cardinals win Game 2 of the NLCS against the New York Mets.

"I know my role can change any given day on this team," Spiezio said. "I just come to the park ready to play every day.

"If I get more starts in right field, so be it. If it's a couple of days at second, a couple of days at third, a couple in left, a couple at first, I'll take it."

Disappointed in the poor showing so far this spring by Wilson and Taguchi, La Russa is looking for a way to get Spiezio's bat into the lineup. He is hitting .325 this spring.

"Spiezio is one of the toughest outs on the team," La Russa said. "I have to look at him in the outfield."

Spiezio made the club last season after signing a minor-league deal a month before the start of spring training. He hit .272 while playing four positions (and designated hitter) in 119 games. The Cardinals rewarded Spiezio with a two-year, $4.5 million contract.

None of that time, though, was in right field. He hasn't played there since 2003 with the Angels, when he played seven games.

"When you're not in a position every day it's hard to get super comfortable," Spiezio said. "I try to think in advance; where am I going to throw the ball if it is hit in a certain area? I'm really using my head a lot out there."